used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
(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 A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
barefootedadjective
without shoes
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
bilgesnoun
in a vessel with two hulls, an enclosed area between the frames at each side
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
boomsnounUS /buːmz/
plural of “boom” — a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
make calm or still
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
comradenounUS /ˈkɑːmræd/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
dark-skinnedadjective
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading She drifted east with the Gulf Stream.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading She drifted east with the Gulf Stream.
Enchantressnoun
a woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
GulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading She drifted east with the Gulf Stream.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
helmsmannounUS /ˈhelmzmæn/
the person who steers a ship
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
most important element
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
slantedadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪd/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading She drifted east with the Gulf Stream.
swirledverbUS /swɜːrld/
past form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
in or at that place or location
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
undulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading A comrade below was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was difficult to move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen were seated forward with their backs against the rail.
at the time that
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading ON THE SPANISH MAIN There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the _Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As she swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro.
