used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There was a rattling of blocks and the creaking of the boom-crotches against the masts.
(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 was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
bangingnounUS /ˈbæŋɪŋ/
a continuing very loud noise
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading There was a rattling of blocks and the creaking of the boom-crotches against the masts.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
boom-crotches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rattling of blocks and the creaking of the boom-crotches against the masts.
lacking funds
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading There was a rattling of blocks and the creaking of the boom-crotches against the masts.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
gearsnounUS /ɡɪrz/
plural of “gear” — a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
half-performing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
hopelesslyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpləsli/
in a hopeless manner
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
knitternounUS /ˈnɪtər/
someone who makes garments (or fabrics) by intertwining yarn or thread
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
landsmannounUS /ˈlændzmən/
a person who lives and works on land
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading There was a rattling of blocks and the creaking of the boom-crotches against the masts.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
needlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
and nothing more
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
plyverbUS /plaɪ/
give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading There was a rattling of blocks and the creaking of the boom-crotches against the masts.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
riotnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
transport commercially
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
skeinnounUS /skeɪn/
coils of worsted yarn
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
slammingverbUS /ˈslæmɪŋ/
inflected form of “slam” — close violently
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
tautadjectiveUS /tɔːt/
pulled or drawn tight
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
at the time that
From this reading It was so on the _Mary Ellen_ when the storm, that had been so long threatening, and half-performing, broke in all its fury.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a tangle of ropes, a banging and slamming of canvas, which, stretched taut and to its utmost, was as stiff as a board.
which person or people
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
WRECKEDadjectiveUS /rekt/
destroyed in an accident
From this reading WRECKED Confusion on board a ship in a storm may be real confusion and riot, or it may only seem so to those not used to the sea.
yarnnounUS /jɑːrn/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading Often what is a hopelessly tangled mass of sails, ropes, spars and gears to the landsman, is as clear to a sailor as a skein of yarn is to an experienced knitter, who can ply her needles in the dark.
