Chapter IV

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

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

(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 WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

serving or used in place of another

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

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

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

curving or bulging outward

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

past form of “canvass” — get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between North and South America; the origin of the Gulf stream

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

the part of the large intestine between the cecum and the rectum; it extracts moisture from food residues before they are excreted

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

a state at a particular time

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

unvarying in nature

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

a communist state in the Caribbean on the island of Cuba

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

reach, make, or come to a decision about something

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

to come or go into

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

promote over another

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

subject to guidance or control especially after launching

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

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

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

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

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

of great significance or value

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

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

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

conformity or harmony

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

lacking natural ease

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

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 We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

kept in good condition

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

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

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

a particular point in time

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

a form of address for a man

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

port city in northwest Portugal; noted for port wine

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

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

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading We had canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must decide the question for myself, being guided by the actions of the bark and the condition of the weather.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

in the direction of

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

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

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

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

From this reading WE COME TO GRIEF Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the _Gladys H._ All the way to Hatteras the weather was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

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

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading However, I followed my instructions, keeping well in toward the coast, and so crept steadily down to Key West.

at the time that

From this reading There was not a moment when the sails were not bulging to some extent and in spite of the old ship’s labored motion we made excellent time.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Here an important proposition confronted us: whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow its great circle near to the shore—a method that would require weeks—or run across to Cuba and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella.