used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
in actual fact
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
in addition
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
ambergrisnounUS /ˈæmbərɡrɪs/
waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale and found floating at sea or washed ashore; used in perfume
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
awardedverbUS /əˈwɔːrdɪd/
past form of “award” — give, especially as an honor or reward
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
Bedford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
Bleechly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
bowheadnoun
large-mouthed Arctic whale
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
a youthful male person
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
capturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
colonynounUS /ˈkɑːləni/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
competitornounUS /kəmˈpetətər/
the contestant you hope to defeat
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
foremastnoun
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
coins made of gold
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
only a very short time before
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
HomernounUS /ˈhoʊmər/
a base hit on which the batter scores a run
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
keennessnoun
a quick and penetrating intelligence
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
used to form the superlative
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
prizesnounUS /ˈpraɪzəz/
plural of “prize” — something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
profitableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːfətəbəl/
yielding material gain or profit
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
proverbialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɜːrbiəl/
of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
unusual or striking
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
cut with a saw
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
Seabirdnoun
a bird that frequents coastal waters and the open ocean: gulls; pelicans; gannets; cormorants; albatrosses; petrels; etc.
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
SETTLINGnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
transport commercially
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
shippedverbUS /ʃɪpt/
inflected form of “ship” — transport commercially
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The article proceeded: The keenness of sight of the Gay Head Indians is proverbial, and to a foremast hand of that colony was awarded the prize for the largest bowhead captured.
sightedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪtɪd/
able to see
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
spermnounUS /spɜːrm/
the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
whalesnounUS /weɪlz/
plural of “whale” — a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
whalingverbUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “whale” — hunt for whales
From this reading SETTLING THE VOYAGE On the following morning, my attention was called to an article in the local newspaper declaring the voyage of the _Seabird_ to be the most remarkable, if not the most profitable, in the history of whaling.
at the time that
From this reading Homer Bleechly, who shipped on the Seabird as a foremast hand, when hardly more than a boy, displayed the most remarkable powers of vision, actually raising more whales than any other man on the ship.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
which person or people
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of our New Bedford boys was a successful competitor.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The find of ambergris was pronounced to be without a parallel, and the announcement was made that gold watches were offered as prizes—one to the man who first sighted the largest bowhead that was captured, and the other to the man who first saw the largest sperm whale which was also taken.
