used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
anchoredverbUS /ˈæŋkərd/
past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
breakwaternounUS /ˈbreɪkwɔːtər/
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
buffetnounUS /ˈbʌfət/
a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
clingverbUS /klɪŋ/
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
travel across or pass over
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
opinion or judgment
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
set up or found
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
in a free manner
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading He gained it, and waved his hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He gained it, and waved his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He gained it, and waved his hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He gained it, and waved his hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He gained it, and waved his hand.
and nothing more
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
leenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
leewardnounUS /ˈliːwərd/
the direction in which the wind is blowing
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
main-mast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
main-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
absolutely essential
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
salt-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
not often
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
in the near future
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
surgeverbUS /sɜːrdʒ/
rise and move, as in waves or billows
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I found myself alone, and as soon as I had cleared my eyes of the salt-water, I perceived Cross in the surge to leeward, making for the floating mast.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
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 I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading He gained it, and waved his hand.
at the time that
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I immediately followed him, and, after a short buffet, gained a place by his side, just behind the main-top, which afforded us considerable shelter from the seas.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading Indeed, as the main-mast was in a manner anchored by the lee rigging to the wreck of the vessel, the latter served as a breakwater, and the sea was, therefore, comparatively smooth, and I found my position infinitely more agreeable than when I was clinging on the wreck.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I could now breathe freely, as it was seldom I was wholly under water; neither was it necessary, as before, to cling for your life.
