used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
becalmedadjectiveUS /bɪˈkɑːmd/
rendered motionless for lack of wind
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
Bernouilli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
make calm or still
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
consultingverbUS /kənˈsʌltɪŋ/
-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
DISASTERnounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading [Sidenote: FOREBODINGS OF DISASTER.]
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
flappedverbUS /flæpt/
inflected form of “flap” — move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
FOREBODINGS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: FOREBODINGS OF DISASTER.]
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading THE STORM ON THE INDIAN OCEAN.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
ManglesnounUS /ˈmæŋɡəlz/
plural of “mangle” — clothes dryer for drying and ironing laundry by passing it between two heavy heated rollers
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
mapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading THE STORM ON THE INDIAN OCEAN.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE STORM ON THE INDIAN OCEAN.
plural of “passenger” — 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 Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
cut with a saw
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
screwnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: FOREBODINGS OF DISASTER.]
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE STORM ON THE INDIAN OCEAN.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORM ON THE INDIAN OCEAN.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Two days after this conversation, Captain Mangles took an observation, and the passengers saw, to their great satisfaction, upon consulting the map, that they were in the vicinity of Cape Bernouilli, which they might expect to reach in four days.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The sails flapped idly against the masts, and had it not been for her powerful screw, the Duncan would have been becalmed on the ocean.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading The west wind had hitherto favored the progress of the yacht, but for several days it had shown a tendency to fail, and now there was a perfect calm.
