Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

how long something has existed

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a job in an organization

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

a youthful male person

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a state at a particular time

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

rough and uncouth

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a county in southwestern England

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

at any time

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a social unit living together

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

a person who operates a farm

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

assets in the form of money

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

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

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a county of southern England on the English Channel

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

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

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs together with yttrium; forms highly magnetic compounds

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

United States lecturer and writer who was blind and deaf from the age of 19 months

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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 For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

the ship's officer in charge of navigation

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

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

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

possessive form of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

above and across; more than

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

by chance

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

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

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

an angry dispute

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

the work of a sailor

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

the work of a sailor

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

inflected form of “ship” — transport commercially

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

precisely as stated

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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

From this reading The quarrel between Keller, a rough, blasphemous-mouthed, and violent-tempered man, and his second officer had arisen over a very simple matter.

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

From this reading Frewen, one of the six sons of a struggling New Hampshire farmer, had received a better education than his brothers, for he was intended for the navy.

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

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

toward the west

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

a seaman who works on a ship that hunts whales

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.

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

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

which person or people

From this reading For like many a country-bred boy he had the sea instinct in his bones, inherited perhaps from his progenitors, who were of a seafaring stock in old Devonshire, in that town made for ever famous by Kingsley in “Westward Ho!”

in the company of; together with

From this reading From “'foremast hand with hayseed in his hair,” he became boatsteerer; then followed rapid promotion from fourth to second officer's berth, and at the age of five-and-twenty he was as competent a navigator and as good a seaman and boatheader as ever trod a whaleship's deck.

a late time of life

From this reading But at sixteen years of age he realised the condition of the family finances, and shipped on a whaler sailing out of New London.