used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
aboardadverbUS /əˈbɔːrd/
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
after-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
afterdecknoun
a deck abaft of midships
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
amidshipsadverbUS /əˈmɪdʃɪps/
at or near or toward the center of a ship
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
capstannounUS /ˈkæpstən/
a windlass rotated in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis; used on ships for weighing anchor or raising heavy sails
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
chantynoun
a rhythmical work song originally sung by sailors
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
gaffnounUS /ɡæf/
a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
the act of departing
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
groannounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
heavingnounUS /ˈhiːvɪŋ/
an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
jacketsnounUS /ˈdʒækɪts/
plural of “jacket” — a short coat
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
leenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
most important element
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
northwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
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 Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
sloopnounUS /sluːp/
a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Captain Job stood on the afterdeck, constantly shouting new orders.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
swarmedverbUS /swɔːrmd/
past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
tackle-blocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
the upper part of anything
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
at the time that
From this reading There was a bustle of action aboard the sloop when the boys swarmed up her side.
in or at the place that
From this reading One chanty was being sung up forward, where half a dozen sturdy seamen were heaving at the capstan bars, and another was going amidships as the throat of the long main gaff went to the top.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading His big voice made itself heard above the singing, the groan of tackle-blocks and the crash of the canvas, flapping in the northwest wind.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a clear, sunny day, with a bite of approaching winter in the air, and the boys were glad to button their jackets tight and move into the lee of the after-house.
