Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the quality of being near to the true value

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

(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 It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

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

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

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

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

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

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

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

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

pain resulting from rapid change in pressure

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

a path over which electrical signals can pass

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

resist or confront with resistance

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

widely known and esteemed

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

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

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

plural of “fill” — a quantity sufficient to satisfy

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

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

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

transmit (knowledge or skills)

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

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

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a form of address for a man

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

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

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

repeat a passage from

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

on the contrary

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

the stealing of cattle

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

transport commercially

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

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

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

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

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading I quote these famous lines for their spirit rather than their accuracy.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

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

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

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

From this reading UP-CHANNEL.

a volcano in southwestern Italy on the Mediterranean coast; a Plinian eruption in 79 AD buried Pompeii and killed Pliny the Elder; last erupted in 1944

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

(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 It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

toward the west

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

at the time that

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

a Caucasian

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading "A wet sheet and a flowing sea," (Sings Allan Cunningham), "A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail And bends the gallant mast; And bends the gallant mast, my boys, When, like an eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Old England on the lee."

the direction from which the wind is coming

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is not every ship that can so defy the laws of nature as to run off a lee shore with a shore wind; and the _Vesuvius_ bomb, reaching up Channel with a rare nor'-nor'-westerly breeze, kept old England well to windward all the time.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."

but in spite of that

From this reading But as Mr. Sturge explained to the Major, later in the day, "Without being a practical seaman, an artist can yet catch the spirit of these things and impart it to his fellow-men."