Chapter IV

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

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

Having no one else present.

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

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

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

of or relating to or being biography

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

an occurrence of something

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

plural of “century” — a period of 100 years

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

obvious to the eye or mind

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

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

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

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

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

apart from; not including

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

have an existence, be extant

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

a social unit living together

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

the act of retaining something

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

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

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

of the present time and place

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

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

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

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

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

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

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

held or filled or in use

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

third-person singular of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

plural of “period” — an amount of time

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

-ing form of “possess” — have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

on the contrary

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

located far away spatially

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

several time

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

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

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading EARLY LIFE AND PROGRESS AS A SEAMAN.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

furnishing support and encouragement

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

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

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

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

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

(usually followed by “to”) able to be traced to

From this reading But the single line traceable through my Father’s ancestors, now alone appears to exist in Britain.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

free from physical or moral spots or stains

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

not known

From this reading SECTION I.—_My Father’s early Life._ The name of SCORESBY, it is believed, is entirely unknown, in this country, except in the case of the family, and one or two relations, of the subject of the present records.

marked by diversity or difference

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.

plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot

From this reading My Father’s “more immediate ancestors,” as a short biographical account of him by a friend, states,[A] “occupied respectable stations in the middle walks of life, supporting, in each case, unblemished character, and possessing, at times, considerable property;” and, in periods rather remote, holding conspicuous stations.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading In Drake’s History of York, the family name, varying in the spelling in a progress through several centuries, repeatedly occurs.