Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

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

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

a city in northeastern New Jersey

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

plural of “crust” — the outer layer of the Earth

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

past form of “falter” — be unsure or weak

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

plural of “frigate” — a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

cause fear in

From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

conformity or harmony

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

held dear

From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

plural of “merchantman” — a cargo ship

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

a particular point in time

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

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

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

not any; not one

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

a person who directs and manages an organization

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

inflected form of “patrol” — maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

to push against gently

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

plural of “tale” — 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 I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

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

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

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

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.