Chapter XII

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

(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 _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

any thing at all

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

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

From this reading The ancient mariner was as salty a salt as ever sailed the ocean.

exceptionally bad or displeasing

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

have

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

the act of burning something

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

make calm or still

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

plural of “comer” — someone with a promising future

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

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

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

deem to be

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

take in liquids

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

remove the dust from

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

an explosive containing nitrate sensitized with nitroglycerin absorbed on wood pulp

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

at any time

From this reading The ancient mariner was as salty a salt as ever sailed the ocean.

creating or arousing excitement

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

destroyed or killed

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

the sound of growling (as made by animals)

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

the excrement of sea birds; used as fertilizer

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

plural of “happening” — an event that happens

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

past form of “ice” — decorate with frosting

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

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

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

superlative of “mere” — being nothing more than specified

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

not divisible by two

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

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

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

exceptional, unusual, or remarkable

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

the largest ocean in the world

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

a state that is calm and tranquil

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

not fanciful or imaginative

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

past form of “reappear” — appear again

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading The ancient mariner was as salty a salt as ever sailed the ocean.

the work of a sailor

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading The ancient mariner was as salty a salt as ever sailed the ocean.

engagingly stimulating or provocative

From this reading The ancient mariner was as salty a salt as ever sailed the ocean.

a large beer glass

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

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

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

having a supporting base

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

hard strong durable yellowish-brown wood of teak trees; resistant to insects and to warping; used for furniture and in shipbuilding

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

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

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

not given to gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

in the direction of

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

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

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We suffered many things from the cook, in the course of that long burning voyage towards the Line.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

-ing form of “whale” — hunt for whales

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

at the time that

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

in or at the place that

From this reading _A Life on the Ocean Wave--Where They kept the Dynamite--How far from an Iced Drink?--The Peacefulness of a Pacific Calm--A Golden Dust Heap--Among the Rookeries--Sailing on the Land--All about Guano._ THE pirate captain was gone when the schooner reappeared off Niué, and a certain ancient mariner had taken his place.

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

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

a late time of life

From this reading He had never been on anything with steam in it, he was as tough as ship-yard teak, and as strong as a bear, though he was a grandfather of some years’ standing, and he was full of strange wild stories about the whaling grounds, and odd happenings in out-of-the-way comers of the Pacific--most of which he seemed to consider the merest commonplaces of a prosaic existence.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Things were not quite so exciting on the _Duchess_ under the new régime, but the order which reigned on board was something awful; for the ancient mariner had been a whaling captain in his day, and on whaling ships it is more than on any others a case of “Growl you may, but go you must,” for all the crew.