used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ralph Stumbles on a Discovery.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
boomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
crippledadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪpəld/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Ralph Stumbles on a Discovery.
disgustedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡʌstəd/
having a strong distaste from surfeit
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
foresailnoun
the lowest sail on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
gaffnounUS /ɡæf/
a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
galleynounUS /ˈɡæli/
a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
hold firmly
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
gratingnounUS /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/
a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
hatchverbUS /hætʃ/
emerge from the eggs
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
heartsickadjective
full of sorrow
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
lashedverbUS /læʃt/
past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
leechnounUS /liːtʃ/
carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
most important element
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
nimbleadjectiveUS /ˈnɪmbəl/
moving quickly and lightly
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ralph Stumbles on a Discovery.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph Stumbles on a Discovery.
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
cut with a saw
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
semi-darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
ShadingnounUS /ˈʃeɪdɪŋ/
graded markings that indicate light or shaded areas in a drawing or painting
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
in the near future
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
spunverbUS /spʌn/
inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
StumblesnounUS /ˈstʌmbəlz/
plural of “stumble” — an unsteady uneven gait
From this reading Ralph Stumbles on a Discovery.
temporarilyadverbUS /ˌtempərˈerəli/
for a limited time only; not permanently
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
from that place or that time
From this reading Ralph, after a comfortable meal in the galley for himself and Ben, was attracted to the grating over the main hatch by the strange noises that issued thence.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Shading his eyes from the light, he peered below, and through the semi-darkness saw a sight that made him heartsick and disgusted.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
topsailnoun
a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Three nimble sailors were soon stretched along the slanting gaff of the great foresail, a perilous and quivering berth, with nothing for the hands to grasp but the shivering leech and shivered boom of the topsail.
yarnnounUS /jɑːrn/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading The crippled boom was soon lashed with pieces of spun yarn, and the damage thus temporarily repaired.
