used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
AfricansnounUS /ˈæfrəkənz/
plural of “african” — a native or inhabitant of Africa
From this reading He and the other Africans soon became friends.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
in addition
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
any person at all
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
astonishverbUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃ/
affect with wonder
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He and the other Africans soon became friends.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
blubberverbUS /ˈblʌbər/
cry or whine with snuffling
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
consistsverbUS /kənˈsɪsts/
third-person singular of “consist” — originate
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
cutting-in
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
a boy or man
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He and the other Africans soon became friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He and the other Africans soon became friends.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Sam also seemed an honest merry fellow.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
in the near future
From this reading He and the other Africans soon became friends.
Soper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
startsnounUS /stɑːrts/
plural of “start” — the beginning of anything
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
stowedverbUS /stoʊd/
past form of “stow” — fill by packing tightly
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
tacklesnounUS /ˈtækəlz/
plural of “tackle” — the person who plays that position on a football team
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
uneducatedadjectiveUS /əˈnedʒʊkeɪtɪd/
not having a good education
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
whale-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
whalesnounUS /weɪlz/
plural of “whale” — a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
at the time that
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The crew had been employed on the passage, whenever the weather permitted, in preparing what is called the "cutting-in gear," which consists of the various tackles and ropes for securing the whales alongside when caught and taking off the blubber.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then there was the gear of the various boats, and it would astonish anyone to see the enormous number of articles stowed away in a whale-boat when she starts after a whale.
produce a literary work
From this reading I took a liking from the first to Miles Soper, though he was perfectly uneducated, and could neither read nor write.
