used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
alum-spray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
breakersnounUS /ˈbreɪkərz/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
Brigs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
chafingnounUS /ˈtʃeɪfɪŋ/
soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
cheerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
doggedadjectiveUS /dɔːɡd/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
drivesnounUS /draɪvz/
plural of “drive” — the act of applying force to propel something
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
EncounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
opinion or judgment
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
fig-drums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
figsnounUS /fɪɡz/
plural of “fig” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
assemble or get together
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
GlazedadjectiveUS /ɡleɪzd/
(used of eyes) lacking liveliness
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
glueverbUS /ɡluː/
join or attach with or as if with glue
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
groannounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
head-wind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
Homeward-boundadjective
oriented toward home
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
hugverbUS /hʌɡ/
hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
iron-rust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
a boy or man
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
lassienounUS /ˈlæsi/
a girl or young woman who is unmarried
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
immediately past
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
lee-shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
LivelieradjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvliər/
comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
moannounUS /moʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
a condition requiring relief
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
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 But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
oftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
purposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
raynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
reefnounUS /riːf/
a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
ribsnounUS /rɪbz/
plural of “rib” — support resembling the rib of an animal
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
sharp-braced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
transport commercially
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
SmyrnanounUS /ˈsmɜːrnə/
a port city in western Turkey
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
StrenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
tossverbUS /tɔːs/
throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
uglieradjectiveUS /ˈʌɡliər/
comparative of “ugly” — displeasing to the senses
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
VexedadjectiveUS /vekst/
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading THE GOOD CRAFT _SNOW BIRD_ Strenuous need that head-wind be From purposed voyage that drives at last The ship, sharp-braced and dogged still, Beating up against the blast.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
a Caucasian
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading But came in end a dismal night, With creaking beams and ribs that groan, A black lee-shore and waters white: Dropped on the reef, the pair lie prone: O, the breakers dance, but the winds they moan!
in the company of; together with
From this reading But iron-rust and alum-spray And chafing gear, and sun and dew Vexed this lad and lassie gay, Tears in their eyes, salt tears nor few; And the hug relaxed with the failing glue.
but in spite of that
From this reading Brigs that figs for market gather, Homeward-bound upon the stretch, Encounter oft this uglier weather Yet in end their port they fetch.
yonadjectiveUS /jɑːn/
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Mark yon craft from sunny Smyrna Glazed with ice in Boston Bay; Out they toss the fig-drums cheerly, Livelier for the frosty ray.
