used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
(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 following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
binnaclenoun
a nonmagnetic housing for a ship's compass (usually in front of the helm)
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
the lower side of anything
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
bow-wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
clickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
creakverbUS /kriːk/
make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
dinghynounUS /ˈdɪŋi/
a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
freighternounUS /ˈfreɪtər/
a cargo ship
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
grudgenounUS /ɡrʌdʒ/
a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
indifferencenounUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns/
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
luffnounUS /lʌf/
(nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
NatcheznounUS /ˈnætʃez/
a town in southwest Mississippi on the Mississippi River
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
and nothing more
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
PalmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
panamanounUS /ˈpænəmɑː/
a republic on the Isthmus of Panama; achieved independence from Colombia in 1903
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
Ratcliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
rovingnounUS /ˈroʊvɪŋ/
travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
ruddernounUS /ˈrʌdər/
a hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of an aircraft and used to make horizontal course changes
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
slashverbUS /slæʃ/
cut with sweeping strokes; as with an ax or machete
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
steeredverbUS /stɪrd/
past form of “steer” — direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
STEERSMANnoun
the person who steers a ship
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
not in physical motion
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The sturdy little figure at the wheel seemed to have forgotten his existence.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
a just detectable amount
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
trianglenounUS /ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/
a three-sided polygon
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
having passed out of existence
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE STEERSMAN Ratcliffe, taking his seat on the bottom of the dinghy, watched her as she steered, the old panama on the back of her head and her eyes roving from the binnacle to the luff of the mainsail.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading A mile or more behind them the _Natchez_ showed, a triangle of pearl, Palm Island had vanished, and nothing remained in all the wheel of sea but a trace of smoke to the southward,—the smoke of some freighter hull down on the horizon.
at the time that
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
showing curiosity
From this reading He was wondering whether the grudge was still being kept up against him, and what it was all about, and whether this indifference was real or assumed, when a voice made him start:
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The following wind blew warm, and the gentle creak of a block, the slash of the bow-wash, and the occasional click of the rudder chain were the only sounds in all the blue world ringing them.
