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, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

anew

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

possessing life

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

plural of “aristocrat” — a member of the aristocracy

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

plural of “better” — something superior in quality or condition or effect

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

the act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

tired of the world

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

a man who has recently been married

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

offensively self-assertive

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

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

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

a military trainee (as at a military academy)

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

coming down freely under the influence of gravity

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

rules governing socially acceptable behavior

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

-ing form of “except” — take exception to

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

activities that are enjoyable or amusing

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

the act of departing

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

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

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

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 Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

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

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

plural of “peer” — a person who is of equal standing with another in a group

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

not often

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

past form of “station” — assign to a station

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

plural of “stir” — a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Recall them?

in or at that place or location

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

in or at the place that

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Wife, but I see them plain: Alive, alert, every man stirs again.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

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

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.

a late time of life

From this reading Well, stationed aft where their lordships keep,— Seldom _going_ forward excepting to sleep,— I, boozing now on by-gone years, My betters recall along with my peers.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But a limit there was—a check, d’ ye see: Those fine young aristocrats knew their degree.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Ay, and in night-watches long and weary, Bored nigh to death with the navy etiquette, Yearning, too, for fun, some younker, a cadet, Dropping for time each vain bumptious trick, Boy-like would unbend to Bridegroom Dick.