Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

a port and fashionable resort city on the Pacific coast of southern Mexico; known for beaches and water sports (including cliff diving)

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

any thing at all

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

containing gold

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

a visual display of information

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

comparative of “cheap” — relatively low in price or charging low prices

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

(electronics) a nonlinear electronic circuit whose output is limited in amplitude; used to limit the instantaneous amplitude of a waveform (to clip off the peaks of a waveform)

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

a small inlet

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

money collected under a tariff

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

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

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

thrown away

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

promote over another

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

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

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

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

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

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

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

immediately past

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

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 A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

come into possession of

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

and nothing more

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

a native or inhabitant of Peru

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

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

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

not often

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

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

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

carry out

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

any of numerous sun-loving low-growing evergreens of the genus Armeria having round heads of pink or white flowers

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

in the direction of

From this reading But at last she rounded Aguja Point, and the captain shaped his course toward the coast and the Rackbirds' cove, the exact position of which was now dotted on his chart.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

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

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

at the time that

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

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

From this reading He had cleared for Rio Janeiro, at which port he intended to touch and take on board a small cargo of coffee, deeming it better to arrive in France with something more than the auriferous mineral matter with which he hoped to replace a large portion of discarded ballast.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The voyage to the Peruvian coast was a slow one, the _Miranda_ proving to be anything but a clipper, and the winds were seldom in her favor.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading A MARINER'S WITS TAKE A LITTLE FLIGHT When Captain Horn, in the brig _Miranda_, with the American sailors Burke and Shirley, and the four negroes, left Acapulco on the 16th of September, he might have been said to have sailed "in ballast," as the only cargo he carried was a large number of coffee-bags.

an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)

From this reading The unusual cargo of empty coffee-bags was looked upon by the customs officials as a bit of Yankee thrift, it being likely enough that the captain could obtain coffee-bags in Mexico much cheaper than in Rio Janeiro.