used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GALLEYS AND THE FRIGATE.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
BarkernounUS /ˈbɑːrkər/
someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The breeze was fair for England.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
rid of obstructions
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
convoynounUS /ˈkɑːnvɔɪ/
a procession of land vehicles traveling together
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
Diep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading The breeze was fair for England.
divisible by two
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The breeze was fair for England.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The breeze was fair for England.
FRIGATEnounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/
a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading THE GALLEYS AND THE FRIGATE.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
GALLEYSnounUS /ˈɡæliz/
plural of “galley” — a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading
From this reading THE GALLEYS AND THE FRIGATE.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
glimmeringnounUS /ˈɡlɪmərɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
gutnounUS /ɡʌt/
the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
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 _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
a female domestic
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
merchant-ships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
and nothing more
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
overladenadjective
loaded past capacity
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
pilotsnounUS /ˈpaɪləts/
plural of “pilot” — someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
quarter-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
sailers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
sandbanks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
sluggishadjectiveUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/
moving slowly
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
Texel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GALLEYS AND THE FRIGATE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
thirty-sixadjective
being six more than thirty
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading So clear was the night that, as he paced the quarter-deck with the dew falling steadily around him, he could not only count their thirty-six lanterns, but even discern their piled canvas glimmering as they stole like ghosts in his wake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The breeze was fair for England.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A full round moon rose over the sandbanks behind them as Captain Barker sent the pilots ashore and stood easily out to sea, for the most of his merchant-ships were sluggish sailers, and not a few overladen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
Witt's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _I.--The Frigate._ The _Merry Maid_ had left the Texel by the narrow gut called De Witt's Diep, with her convoy following in line and in admirable order.
