Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

side by side

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

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

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "_Nettie B._ of Freekirk Head?" he asked.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)

From this reading "Captain Burns commanding?"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading "Captain Burns commanding?"

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading "Captain Burns commanding?"

someone who cuts or carves stone

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

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

From this reading "_Nettie B._ of Freekirk Head?" he asked.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "_Nettie B._ of Freekirk Head?" he asked.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading "_Nettie B._ of Freekirk Head?" he asked.

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

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

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

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

at or near or toward the center of a ship

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

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

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

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

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

past form of “row” — propel with oars

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

cause friction

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

in a clever manner

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

past form of “stave” — furnish with staves

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

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

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

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

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.

in a vertical direction

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a Caucasian

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading SURPRISES Fifteen minutes later a small boat, rowed smartly by six sailors in white canvas, came alongside the 'midships ladder of the _Nettie B._ At a word from the officer the six oars rose as one vertically into the air, and the bowman staved off the cutter so that she brought up without a scratch.

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes," said Nat, stepping forward, "I am Captain Burns.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A young man in dark blue sprang out of the stern-sheets upon the deck.