Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

remote in manner

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

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

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

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

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

protective covering made of metal and used in combat

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

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

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

protected with battlements or parapets with indentations or embrasures for shooting through

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

give a benediction to

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

exhale hard

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

at all points from head to foot

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

plural of “chest” — the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

a plot intended to subvert another plot

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

the act of taking something apart (as a piece of machinery)

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

a person who is markedly small

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

inflected form of “enrol” — register formally as a participant or member

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

not admitting of penetration or passage into or through

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

plural of “invention” — the creation of something in the mind

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

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

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

(used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

inflected form of “lop” — cut off from a whole

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

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

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

on one occasion

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

without obstructions to passage or view

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

strike or drive against with a heavy impact

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

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

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

plural of “sneak” — a person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive and contemptible

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

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

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

being essentially equal to something

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

past form of “tax” — levy a tax on

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

-ing form of “teeter” — move unsteadily, with a rocking motion

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

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

From this reading That battlemented hull, Tantallon o’ the sea, Kicked in, as at Boston the taxed chests o’ tea!

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

an imaginary creature represented as a white horse with a long horn growing from its forehead

From this reading Ay, spurned by the _ram,_ once a tall, shapely craft, But lopped by the Rebs to an iron-beaked raft— A blacksmith’s unicorn in armor _cap-a-pie_.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

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

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.

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

From this reading Under the water-line a _ram’s_ blow is dealt: And foul fall the knuckles that strike below the belt.

during the time that

From this reading Nor brave the inventions that serve to replace The openness of valor while dismantling the grace.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Aloof from all this and the never-ending game, Tantamount to teetering, plot and counterplot; Impenetrable armor—all-perforating shot; Aloof, bless God, ride the war-ships of old, A grand fleet moored in the roadstead of fame; Not submarine sneaks with _them_ are enrolled; Their long shadows dwarf us, their flags are as flame.