Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

later than; following

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

(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 only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

any thing at all

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

towards the shore from the water

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

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

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

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

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

one or the other of two

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

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

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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 The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

clumsy and unskilled

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

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

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

no person; not anyone

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

and nothing more

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

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

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

an artist who paints

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

uttered with a trill

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

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

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

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

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

an industrial plant for smelting

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

a person, without saying who

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

-ing form of “swamp” — drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

a message transmitted by telegraph

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

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

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

precisely as stated

From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

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

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

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

From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.

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

From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.

in the company of; together with

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.

an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.