Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

(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 Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

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

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

works for an expert to learn a trade

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

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

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

towards the shore from the water

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

for the reason that

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

confined by bonds

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

characterized by great caution and wariness

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

a new soundtrack that is added to a film

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

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

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

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

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

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

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

a single distinct event

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

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

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

the force of workers available

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

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

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

existing in great number or quantity

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

having a tendency (to); often used in combination

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

not fanciful or imaginative

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

a port city on the Gulf of Riga that is the capital and largest city of Latvia; formerly a member of the Hanseatic League

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

something that follows something else

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

plural of “sequel” — something that follows something else

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

inflected form of “ship” — transport commercially

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

supernatural forces and events and beings collectively

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

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

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There are stories of the supernatural with prosaic sequels; there are others to which the sequel has never been published.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

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

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

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

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

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

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

which person or people

From this reading Of all classes of men, those who follow the sea are probably the most prone to superstition.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Afloat upon the black waste of waters, at the mercy of wind and sea, with vast depths and strange creatures below them, a belief in the supernatural is easier than ashore, under the cheerful gas-lamps.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Strange stories of the sea are plentiful, and an incident which happened within my own experience has made me somewhat chary of dubbing a man fool or coward because he has encountered something he cannot explain.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.

a late time of life

From this reading I was fifteen years old at the time, and as my father, who had a strong objection to the sea, would not apprentice me to it, I shipped before the mast on a sturdy little brig called the _Endeavour,_ bound for Riga.