used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
adventnounUS /ˈædvent/
arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
(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 "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
braceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Stand by your skysail halliards!"
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
crossjacknoun
the lowermost sail on a mizzenmast
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
DavisnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
doldrumsnounUS /ˈdoʊldrəmz/
a state of inactivity (in business or art etc)
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
FATALadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
halliards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Stand by your skysail halliards!"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
a particular point in time
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
one of four equal parts
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
scuppersnounUS /ˈskʌpərz/
plural of “scupper” — drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
transport commercially
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
skysailnoun
the sail above the royal on a square-rigger
From this reading "Stand by your skysail halliards!"
squallverbUS /skwɔːl/
make high-pitched, whiney noises
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
be standing; be upright
From this reading "Stand by your skysail halliards!"
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
the rays of the sun
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
carry out
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
tradesnounUS /treɪdz/
plural of “trade” — the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
trialsnounUS /ˈtraɪəlz/
plural of “trial” — the act of testing something
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading "THE FATAL RED LEAD" The trades failed close to the line, and all the troubles and trials of the doldrums began.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
look attentively
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
waterspoutnoun
a tornado passing over water and picking up a column of water and mist
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading "Weather crossjack brace!" was the continual cry, and at night on the advent of each black squall there was a roar of:
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
at the time that
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading They were a fine opportunity for Black Davis to take the steam out of his watch, for the wind, when there was any, came in short puffs from every quarter of the compass, and never blew for more than an hour or two in any given direction.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At one moment the rain would be coming down like a waterspout until the scuppers were full, and the next minute the wet ship would be glistening in the sunshine.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Stand by your skysail halliards!"
