used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
ainadjective
belonging to or on behalf of a specified person (especially yourself); preceded by a possessive
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
ary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
Baches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Sea-song of the “Baches of Bucksport.”
barnaclesnounUS /ˈbɑːrnəkəlz/
plural of “barnacle” — marine crustaceans with feathery food-catching appendages; free-swimming as larvae; as adults form a hard shell and live attached to submerged surfaces
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
Bodfish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
bravedverbUS /breɪvd/
past form of “brave” — face and withstand with courage
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
bristlyadjective
very irritable
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
Bucksport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Sea-song of the “Baches of Bucksport.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
companionwaynounUS /kəmˈpænjənweɪ/
a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
crittersnounUS /ˈkrɪtərz/
plural of “critter” — a regional term for “creature” (especially for domestic animals)
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
cuddynounUS /ˈkʌdi/
the galley or pantry of a small ship
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
HarbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
Merrithew's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
subject to death
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
Nymphus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
oozenounUS /uːz/
any thick, viscous matter
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
PACKETnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
PalermonounUS /pəˈlermoʊ/
the capital of Sicily; located in northwestern Sicily; an important port for 3000 years
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
raspyadjectiveUS /ˈræspi/
unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
refuse-strewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
rockedverbUS /rɑːkt/
past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
Sea-song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Sea-song of the “Baches of Bucksport.”
serious-mindedadjective
acting with or showing thought and good sense
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
make square
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
the topmost one of two
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
weather-streaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
witchnounUS /wɪtʃ/
a female sorcerer or magician
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
a late time of life
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
