used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
at or in the front
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
DIBDIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
at any time
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
only a very short time before
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
the act of retaining something
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID.
joyfuladjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/
full of or producing joy
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
maximsnounUS /ˈmæksəmz/
plural of “maxim” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
not any; not one
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I SEE IT ALL," HE SAID.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
squallsnounUS /skwɔːlz/
plural of “squall” — sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
swabsnounUS /swɑːbz/
plural of “swab” — implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
tar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
at the time that
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
which person or people
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
windwardnounUS /ˈwɪndwərd/
the direction from which the wind is coming
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading She needed all her powers to-night however to beat to windward, and indeed there must have been times, while the squalls were at their worst, when she was hardly holding her own.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading No yacht ever sailed more closely to the wind than did the _Fairy_.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Be good, be honest, serve a friend, Are maxims well enough; Who swabs his brows at other's woe That tar's for me your sort; His vessel right ahead shall go To find a joyful port."--DIBDIN.
