Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

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

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

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

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

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

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

plural of “brass” — an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The sails slept, hushed by a gentle breeze.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The sails slept, hushed by a gentle breeze.

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

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

having the sails trimmed for sailing as close to the wind as possible

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading The sails slept, hushed by a gentle breeze.

the activity of flying a glider

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

coins made of gold

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

in a softened tone

From this reading The sails slept, hushed by a gentle breeze.

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

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

clear and bright

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

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 The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

the force of workers available

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

above and across; more than

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

compacted by ironing

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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 The sails slept, hushed by a gentle breeze.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

cut with a saw

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

transport commercially

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading The sails slept, hushed by a gentle breeze.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

plural of “splash” — the sound like water splashing

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

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

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The men pressed three deep abreast of the mainmast and opposite the cabin-door.

migratory

From this reading * * * * * In the morning the ship, beginning another day of her wandering life, had an aspect of sumptuous freshness, like the spring-time of the earth.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

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

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The washed decks glistened in a long clear stretch; the oblique sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazzling splashes, darted over the polished rods in lines of gold, and the single drops of salt water forgotten here and there along the rail were as limpid as drops of dew, and sparkled more than scattered diamonds.