Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

(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 Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

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

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

plural of “calculation” — the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

in a relative manner; by comparison to something else

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

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

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

divisible by two

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

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

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

apart from; not including

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

living quarters consisting of a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

the act of departing

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

only a very short time before

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

the pelt of a leopard

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

a unit of instruction

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

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

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

and nothing more

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

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

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

a human being

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

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

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

almost; nearly

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

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

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

not in physical motion

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

a special situation

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

a source of difficulty

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

pull hard

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

precisely as stated

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

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

From this reading THE FIRST LESSON FOR A SAILOR As the engineer was a cripple, Christy Passford had not expected to have any difficulty in bringing him to terms; and the result justified his calculations.

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 long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Percy seemed to be very busy in the pilot-house, going through imaginary evolutions at the wheel, and supposing all sorts of orders, and all kinds of positions in which the tug might be placed.

which person or people

From this reading The Leopard was now practically in his possession, for Captain Pecklar was the only person on board, except Percy, who could give him any trouble; and he was too feeble to do any thing.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He did not seem even to observe what his companion was doing, though the engineer had been driven into the forecastle in plain sight from the window of the pilot-house.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading The long-boat was still struggling through the waves on her way to the Bellevite, and could hardly have made any worse weather of such a comparatively mild sea.