used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
astronomicaladjectiveUS /ˌæstrəˈnɑːmɪkəl/
relating or belonging to the science of astronomy
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
attitudesnounUS /ˈætətuːdz/
plural of “attitude” — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
being one more than seven
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
foc's'le
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
a state of high honor
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
laughinglyadverbUS /ˈlæfɪŋli/
with laughter; while laughing
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
and nothing more
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
preferringverbUS /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
puffedadjectiveUS /pʌft/
gathered for protruding fullness
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
not in physical motion
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
stuffyadjectiveUS /ˈstʌfi/
lacking fresh air
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
telescopeverbUS /ˈteləskoʊp/
crush together or collapse
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here they lay about in attitudes peculiar to sailors, and in which only sailors could sleep.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
undimmedadjective
not made dim or less bright
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The greater number of them, preferring the fresh night air to that of the stuffy foc's'le, had brought their blankets up on to the foc's'le head.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
look attentively
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
weather-prophet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Only one man lay at full length, flat on his back, his pipe between his lips, as he puffed steadily, a vacant look in his open eyes as he rested his brain as well as his body.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Eight bells had gone and the starboard watch were below until midnight.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "THE GLORY OF THE STARS" That evening, Jack, the astronomical weather-prophet (as he laughingly called himself) took advantage of the magnificence of the stars, undimmed by the moon, which was still below the horizon, to bring out his big telescope.
