Chapter XXI

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

From this reading A FIGHT.

being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

(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 The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

plural of “billow” — a large sea wave

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

the act of breaking something

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

water containing salts

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

a wide scope

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading A FIGHT.

a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

past form of “freshen” — make (to feel) fresh

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

plural of “head” — 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 breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

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

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

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

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

becoming greater or larger

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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 The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

flowing profusely

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

any competition

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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 ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

reflect brightly

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

possessing sweep

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

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

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

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

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

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

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We had swept the island out of sight before we left the dinner table.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

at the time that

From this reading When I came on deck the horizon had closed somewhat upon us.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The ocean was a weak blue, and ran with a frosty sparkle into a sort of film or thickness that went all round the sea.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading The breeze had freshened, and it whipped the waters into little billows, with yearning and snapping heads of foam, and it was pouring its increasing volume into the lofty height and wide expanse of canvas under which the brig was thrusting along in a staggering, rushing way, the glass-smooth curve of brine at the bow breaking abreast of the gangway with a twelve-knot flash of the foam into the throbbing race of the long wake.