from one side of something to the other
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
(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 The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
beautified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
braceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
put or send forth
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
creakverbUS /kriːk/
make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
distinctnessnoun
the quality of being sharp and clear
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
having the place or position changed
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
DropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
to or in any or all places
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
FreemannounUS /ˈfriːmən/
a person who is not a serf or a slave
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
Freeman'snounUS /ˈfriːmənz/
possessive form of “freeman” — a person who is not a serf or a slave
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
gurgleverbUS /ˈɡɜːrɡəl/
flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
HeraldverbUS /ˈherəld/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
itemsnounUS /ˈaɪtəmz/
plural of “item” — a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
and nothing more
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
most important element
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
mast-heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
the light of the Moon
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
not in physical motion
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
not any; not one
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
not divisible by two
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
paint-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
poopnounUS /puːp/
obscene terms for feces
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
pulleynounUS /ˈpʊli/
a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
quarter-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
scamperedverbUS /ˈskæmpərd/
past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
shroudsnounUS /ʃraʊdz/
plural of “shroud” — a line that suspends the harness from the canopy of a parachute
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
swishverbUS /swɪʃ/
move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
From this reading No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
SydneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
the largest Australian city located in southeastern Australia on the Tasman Sea; state capital of New South Wales; Australia's chief port
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had been reading odd items in an old copy of the Sydney _Herald_, and put it down just as two great rats that had come up from the hold scampered across the deck.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
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 No other sound disturbed the silence but the gentle swish and gurgle of the water alongside, and an occasional creak from some block or pulley.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
at the time that
From this reading Drops of dew glittered everywhere, and when Freeman laid his hand upon the main brace, it was wet as though from rain.
a Caucasian
From this reading The piles of swelling canvas; the mast-heads nodding against the stars; the white paint-work of the poop; the delicate shadows cast upon the deck by the ropes and shrouds; the motionless figure of the man at the wheel;—all were beautified and softened by the white flood of moonlight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So quiet was the night, that Freeman’s measured footsteps, as he trod the quarter-deck, sounded with strange distinctness to the guilty occupant of the space beneath.
