used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
the two together, not just one
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
castawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
fore-topmastnoun
the topmast next above the foremast
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
halliards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
hauledverbUS /hɔːld/
past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
inactionnounUS /ˌɪˈnækʃən/
the state of being inactive
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
mannedadjectiveUS /mænd/
having a crew
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
easily agitated
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
move upward
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
cut with a saw
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
schooner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
sea-anchor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
staysailnoun
a fore-and-aft sail set on a stay (as between two masts)
From this reading At one bell the castaways saw the schooner's fore-topmast staysail rise slowly as her crew manned the halliards, and a second later her mainsail raised its head.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
whaleboatnoun
a long narrow boat designed for quick turning and use in rough seas
From this reading In a moment the inaction on the whaleboat turned to a keen, nervous energy.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading "A SEA FIGHT UNDER THE STARS" By midnight both wind and sea had dropped considerably.
windwardnounUS /ˈwɪndwərd/
the direction from which the wind is coming
From this reading Hand over hand the oars were hauled alongside, and the sea-anchor got in over the bows; then away they went to windward.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jack gave a quick look round, and then said sharply, "In with that sea-anchor, boys; it's time we were flitting."
