Chapter XXXIII

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

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

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

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The hurricane season was about to begin.

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The hurricane season was about to begin.

prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

quick and energetic

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

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

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

under normal conditions

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

travel across or pass over

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

moving toward the east

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

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

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

an independent state within the British Commonwealth located on the Fiji Islands

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

a rope for raising or lowering a sail or flag

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading The hurricane season was about to begin.

plural of “hurricane” — a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

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

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

immediately past

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

march in a procession

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

used to form the superlative

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

absolutely essential

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

in a northern direction

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

a native or inhabitant of the Samoan Islands

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The hurricane season was about to begin.

not often

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

the compass point midway between south and east; at 135 degrees

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

situated in or oriented toward the south

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

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

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

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

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

in the direction of

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Hurricanes are most frequent in March and April, although occasionally there is a severe one toward the last of February; and their tracks most commonly cross the Fiji or Samoan Islands in a general southerly direction, then curving more and more to the eastward.

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

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

plural of “trade” — the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

under normal conditions

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was seldom necessary to touch a brace or a halliard, and our crew had very little to do.

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

From this reading The hurricane season was about to begin.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

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

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading We stood well to the west of Fiji, and were past the Ellices before the end of the southern summer, so that we escaped them entirely—if there were any—and were usually running about as fast as the old Clearchus was able, under the southeast trades, and under a regular trade-wind sky.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading As we ran to the northward, we had the wind on the beam or aft of that, most of the time, usually brisk to strong, as fair a wind as we could have wished for.