used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
coast-guards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
foreignernounUS /ˈfɔːrənər/
a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
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 French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
madmannounUS /ˈmædmæn/
an insane person
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
manoeuvers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
marinersnounUS /ˈmerənərz/
plural of “mariner” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
NamelessadjectiveUS /ˈneɪm.ləs/
Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
seamannounUS /ˈsiːmən/
a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
shruggingverbUS /ˈʃrʌɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “shrug” — raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
shudderedverbUS /ˈʃʌdərd/
past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
term of address for a man
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
not in physical motion
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
express in words
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
(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 A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
a Caucasian
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
belonging to which person
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
wideradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪdər/
comparative of “wide” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Off the South Coast a small French vessel was beating its way against the blast, and coast-guards looked with astonishment at its manoeuvers, finally shrugging their shoulders at the madness of the foreigner.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The French skipper was holding to the rail, shouting orders, while a madman, without hat or coat, and with a set white face, was pointing a pistol at his head.
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading A Nameless Wife A terrible gale was blowing up the Channel, and wise mariners made for port before it was too late, while wives shuddered at the howling whose menace they knew too well.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had they seen what was taking place on the deck they would have opened their eyes still wider.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I tell you, sir,” said the shaking seaman, “we dare not run in close to the shore, we shall be driven in onto the rocks.
