used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
(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 There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
buckledverbUS /ˈbʌkəld/
past form of “buckle” — fasten with a buckle or buckles
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
put or send forth
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
foullyadverb
in an unfair and insulting manner
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
goodlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdli/
large in amount or extent or degree
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
guessworknounUS /ˈɡeswɜːrk/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
heart-breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
hewverbUS /hjuː/
make or shape as with an axe
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
hitchedverbUS /hɪtʃt/
past form of “hitch” — to hook or entangle
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
immovablenounUS /ˌɪˈmuːvəbəl/
property consisting of houses and land
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
mainmastnoun
the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
the force of workers available
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
misbehavingverbUS /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “misbehave” — behave badly
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
not any; not one
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/
to extremes
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
poignancynounUS /ˈpɔɪnjənsi/
a state of deeply felt distress or sorrow
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
preachesverbUS /ˈpriːtʃɪz/
third-person singular of “preach” — deliver a sermon
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
sadderadjectiveUS /ˈsædər/
comparative of “sad” — experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
sermonnounUS /ˈsɜːrmən/
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
transport commercially
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
sightsnounUS /saɪts/
an optical instrument for aiding the eye in aiming, as on a firearm or surveying instrument
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
slappingverbUS /ˈslæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “slap” — hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
dependable
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
straightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
a special situation
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We agreed that the straightest course open to us was to cut away the mainmast, and this we promptly set about doing.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
showing sorrow
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
which person or people
From this reading The fall of a great tree in a forest preaches its sermon, but not with half the poignancy of a noble mast which men who love their vessel are compelled to cast overboard.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading THE NIGHT AND MORNING It seemed such a heart-breaking thing to be hitched in that place, so immovable, while the seas were slapping us and the wind so foully misbehaving, that I declare I could have wept for bitterness of spirit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But it was no time for weeping; we had other guesswork on hand, and we buckled to our work with a will.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There are few sadder sights in the world than to see stout fellows striving with all their strength to hew down the mainmast of a goodly ship.
