used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INCIDENTS OF A WHALING VOYAGE.
in the past
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
in addition
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
being joined in close association
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
(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 explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
a period of 100 years
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
clothing in general
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
INCIDENTSnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading INCIDENTS OF A WHALING VOYAGE.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
the force of workers available
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
narratedverbUS /ˈnereɪtɪd/
past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading INCIDENTS OF A WHALING VOYAGE.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
one of four equal parts
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
remindverbUS /riˈmaɪnd/
put in the mind of someone
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
Spofford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
spy-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
telescopeverbUS /ˈteləskoʊp/
crush together or collapse
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
precisely as stated
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.
veterannounUS /ˈvetərən/
a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
an act of traveling by water
From this reading INCIDENTS OF A WHALING VOYAGE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
weather-beatenadjective
tanned and coarsened from being outdoors
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
WHALINGverbUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “whale” — hunt for whales
From this reading INCIDENTS OF A WHALING VOYAGE.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He was much attached to his telescope, which he had carried nearly a quarter of a century, and on the present occasion he brought it into the cabin, and held it in his hand while he narrated his whaling experiences.
which person or people
From this reading Captain Spofford was a weather-beaten veteran who gave little attention to fine clothes, and greatly preferred his rough jacket and soft hat to what he called "Sunday gear."
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He explained that he could talk better in the company of his old spy-glass, as it would remind him of things he might forget without its aid, and also check him if he went beyond the truth.
a late time of life
From this reading "There are very few men in the whaling business now," said he, "compared to the number twenty-five years ago.