Chapter IX

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

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

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

any thing at all

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

plural of “bathroom” — a room (as in a residence) containing a bathtub or shower and usually a washbasin and toilet

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

for the reason that

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

cooked in hot water

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

tapering at each end

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

plural of “division” — an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

plural of “dreamer” — someone who is dreaming

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

inflected form of “dub” — give a nickname to

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

divisible by two

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

set up or found

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

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

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

lacking in refinement or grace or good taste

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

the early stage of growth or development

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

plural of “jest” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

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 In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

immediately past

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

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

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

possessive form of “majesty” — impressiveness in scale or proportion

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

Recollections of past events.

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

not any; not one

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

having a point

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

plural of “ram” — the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

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

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

plural of “shirt” — a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading The Navy-that-Floats--the Navy of aiguillettes and “boiled shirts,” of bathrooms and Sunday-morning divisions--dubbed them pirates.

plural of “sweater” — a crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The Submarine Service had no leisure for jests at that time, even if they had seen anything particularly humorous about the comparison.

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

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

a large number or amount

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

having tucked or being tucked

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

not famous or acclaimed

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

not tried or tested by experience

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

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

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

possessive form of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Pirates, because they went about His Majesty’s business in football sweaters and grey flannel trousers tucked into their huge sea-boots, returning to harbour with a week’s growth of beard and memories of their last bath grown dim.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

at the time that

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

which person or people

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In an intensely grim and practical way they were dreamers, “greatly dreaming”: and they knew that the day was not far off when these little wet ships of theirs would come into their own and hold, in the bow and stern of each fragile hull, the keys of death and of hell.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading THE NAVY-UNDER-THE-SEA The year or so before the war found the Submarine Service still in its infancy, untried, unsung, a jest among the big-ship folk of the Navy-that-floats, who pointed with inelegant gestures from these hundred-feet cigar-shaped egg-shells to their own towering steel-shod rams and the nineteen-thousand-odd tons behind each of them.