adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
Bonadventure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
breezenounUS /briːz/
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
close-reefed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
compelledverbUS /kəmˈpeld/
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
enterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
gainedverbUS /ɡeɪnd/
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
HoistingverbUS /ˈhɔɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
hoveverbUS /hoʊv/
inflected form of “heave” — utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
jibverbUS /dʒɪb/
refuse to comply
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
mainmastnoun
the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
MercynounUS /ˈmɜːrsi/
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
milesnounUS /maɪlz/
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
mistakenadjectiveUS /mɪˈsteɪkən/
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
mouthnounUS /maʊθ/
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
Pencroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
predictedverbUS /prɪˈdɪktɪd/
past form of “predict” — make a prediction about; tell in advance
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
prognosticationsnounUS /prɑːɡˌnɑːstəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “prognostication” — a sign of something about to happen
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
puttingnounUS /ˈpʌtɪŋ/
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
regularadjectiveUS /ˈreɡjələr/
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
runverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
seldomadverbUS /ˈseldəm/
not often
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/
transport commercially
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
speedverbUS /spiːd/
move hurridly
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
storm-sail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
ThingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Things happened as Pencroft had predicted, he being seldom mistaken in his prognostications.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
topsails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
vesselnounUS /ˈvesəl/
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Hoisting the jib to the mainmast by way of a storm-sail, he hove to, putting the head of the vessel towards the land.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Now, as it was nearly six o’clock when the “Bonadventure” reached the gulf, and as at that moment the tide turned, it was impossible to enter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading They were therefore compelled to stand off, for even if he had wished to do so, Pencroft could not have gained the mouth of the Mercy.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The wind rose, and from a fresh breeze it soon increased to a regular gale; that is to say, it acquired a speed of from forty to forty-five miles an hour, before which a ship in the open sea would have run under close-reefed topsails.
