Chapter VI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

a long trough for feeding cattle

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

a state of extreme confusion and disorder

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

showing effects of planning or manipulation

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

travel across or pass over

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

relating to or being an element

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

at any time

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

third-person singular of “exaggerate” — to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

in a fitful manner

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

a .45-caliber pistol

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

involving risk or danger

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

lacking in caution

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

make sense of; assign a meaning to

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

and nothing more

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

a person who lives and works on land

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

for an instant or moment

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

coming from the northwest

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

and nothing more

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

to extremes

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

the act of punishing

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

extremely

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

usable for a specific purpose

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

having a tendency (to); often used in combination

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

take hold of; grab

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

transport commercially

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

at the same instant

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

express in speech

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

possessing sweep

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

very small

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

-ing form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

displeasing to the senses

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

not anticipated

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

up to a particular time

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)

From this reading Passage along the open decks of the _Southern Cross_ became a hazardous undertaking, an experiment just practicable for a strong man clad in oilskins and seaboots, but positively dangerous for one unable to interpret the vagaries of a ship plunging through a heavy sea.

often used as intensifiers

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A broken limb or ugly bruise was the certain penalty of an incautious movement, if, indeed, one was not swept overboard.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Maseden contrived to sleep fitfully until a thin gray light, trickling through a tiny port when momentarily free of wave-wash, told him that another day had dawned.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

at the time that

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading AN UNFORESEEN DISASTER During the night the storm developed into that elemental chaos which the landsman exaggerates into a hurricane and the sailor logs as a strong northwesterly gale.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For a passenger--a non-combatant, so to speak--the only certain way to insure physical safety was to lie prone in a bunk, with a hand ever ready to seize the nearest rail when an unusually violent lurch tilted the vessel to an angle of forty-five degrees and simultaneously drove her nose into a veritable mountain of water.