used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
a-burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
a-standing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
afaradverbUS /əˈfɑːr/
(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
(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 roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
barkyadjective
resembling the rough bark of a tree
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
behavedverbUS /bɪˈheɪvd/
past form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
chasingverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “chase” — go after with the intent to catch
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
ChorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading _Chorus._ Rolling over, rolling over, rolling on.
damnedadjectiveUS /dæmd/
expletives used informally as intensifiers
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
ForenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
gignounUS /ɡɪɡ/
long and light rowing boat; especially for racing
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
ladingnounUS /ˈleɪdɪŋ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
in like or similar manner
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
the force of workers available
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Chorus._ Rolling over, rolling over, rolling on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading _Chorus._ Rolling over, rolling over, rolling on.
pluckyadjectiveUS /ˈplʌki/
marked by courage and determination in the face of difficulties or danger; robust and uninhibited
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
uttered with a trill
From this reading _Chorus._ Rolling over, rolling over, rolling on.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
cut with a saw
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
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 The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The roaring waves they came, Like water into fire all gone, For the sea was all of a flame.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
We've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
(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 And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
at the time that
From this reading It was upon a Boston brig, and that was in the Fall, Our barky she was light as a gig, for our lading was but small; And it was in the American War as we were sailing thus, When we saw a steamer from afar, and knew she was after us.
which person or people
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
but in spite of that
From this reading Now I have often seen by dark the sea a-burning bright, But nothing did I yet remark like what it was that night, And the wake we left behind us as we sailed for many an hour, Was like a fiery serpent who was chasing to devour.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And then the captain made a speech to us a-standing round, And said: “’Fore I’ll be taken I’ll be damned if I don’t be drowned; Yet if you will be plucky, men, and likewise well behaved, We’ve got one chance in a thousand yet, but what we may be saved.
