used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He saw enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
anew
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
at or in the front
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
boomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
cause to be bored
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
close-reefed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
cockpitnounUS /ˈkɑːkpɪt/
compartment where the pilot sits while flying the aircraft
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
dauntverbUS /dɔːnt/
cause to lose courage
From this reading He saw enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He saw enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
firthnounUS /fɜːrθ/
English linguist who contributed to linguistic semantics and to prosodic phonology and who was noted for his insistence on studying both sound and meaning in context (1890-1960)
From this reading He saw enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.
foamingadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊmɪŋ/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
helmnounUS /helm/
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
jibenounUS /dʒaɪb/
an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
knittedadjectiveUS /ˈnɪtəd/
made by intertwining threads in a series of connected loops rather than by weaving
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
lurchedverbUS /lɜːrtʃt/
past form of “lurch” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
the light of the Moon
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
oilskins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
uttered with a trill
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
RowannounUS /ˈroʊən/
Eurasian tree with orange-red berrylike fruits
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
Solway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
steadiedadjectiveUS /ˈstedid/
made steady or constant
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
steerverbUS /stɪr/
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
storm-jib
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading He saw enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Andrew stood in the cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
WhitneynounUS /ˈwɪtni/
United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
Whitney'snounUS /ˈwɪtniz/
possessive form of “whitney” — United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading The small storm-jib ran water as it swung above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
WRECKnounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading THE WRECK Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the _Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading Whitney held the helm, his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern the yacht was hard to steer.
