Chapter X

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

stern foremost or backward

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

in bodily form

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

a youthful male person

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

an occurrence of something

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

divisible by two

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

plural of “hold” — the act of grasping

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

the force of workers available

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

as might be expected

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

not any; not one

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

above and across; more than

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading I was naturally curious, as a boy should be, and I plunged my hand into a tub of it.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

with speed

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

plural of “shred” — a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

plural of “spade” — a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

a white waxy substance from oil of the sperm whale

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

the act of gripping and pressing firmly

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These men seemed to be in no hurry, and to find their task pleasant.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

precisely as stated

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

From this reading The cutting-in was over by the middle of the afternoon, for that first whale of ours was not very large.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The holds of the cutting-falls had been cut away, and the empty case had drifted astern, sinking slowly as it went; the junk had been emptied of its oil, the pure, sweet oil following the spades at every cut; and men were already busy with squeezing out the shreds of spermaceti from the case-matter, two men to a tub.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading If our windlass had been as powerful as modern windlasses, we should have been able to get the case—or even the whole head—bodily on deck, and to get at the oil within it more quickly and completely.