Chapter I

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

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

possessing life

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

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

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

a region whose eastern part is now Bangladesh and whose western part is included in India

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

(boxing) a blow with the fist

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

of grey tinged with blue

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

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

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

the largest city in India and one of the largest cities in the world; located in eastern India; suffers from poverty and overcrowding

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

put or send forth

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

being ten more than seventy

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

characterized by expression

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

a cargo ship

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

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

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

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

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

plural of “launch” — a motorboat with an open deck or a half deck

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

plural of “lighter” — a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

the middle of a stream

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

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

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

and nothing more

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

a small wave on the surface of a liquid

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

plural of “sailboat” — a small sailing vessel; usually with a single mast

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

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

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

make square

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

having a supporting base

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

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

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

a United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

plural of “tug” — a sudden abrupt pull

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading The reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

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

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

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 reflection of the vivid tropical sky turned the murky water of the Hooghly River into a rippling rainbow.

the area of a city (such as a harbor or dockyard) alongside a body of water

From this reading It was sunset along the Calcutta waterfront.

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

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

conforming to the rules of grammar or usage accepted by native speakers

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.

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

From this reading Biff Brewster was standing at the bow of a big freighter, the 10,000-ton _Northern Star_, which only that afternoon had cast anchor in the Port of Calcutta.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The river was alive with a variety of craft, including native sailboats, side-wheel steamers that plied up and down the Hooghly between Calcutta and the Bay of Bengal, eighty miles south, as well as sturdy tugs, launches, and lighters that served the ocean-going ships moored in midstream along the strand.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Biff was a blond-haired youth of sixteen, with broad, square shoulders and blue-gray eyes that were as keen and expressive as his strong, well-formed features.