used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
in addition
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
barque's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
commoditynounUS /kəˈmɑːdəti/
articles of commerce
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
completingadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtɪŋ/
acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
without deviation
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
Flett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
set up or found
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
homeward-boundadjective
oriented toward home
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
Jessie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
jollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
immediately past
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
LydianounUS /ˈlɪdiə/
an ancient region on the coast of western Asia Minor; a powerful kingdom until conquered by the Persians in 546 BC
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
MarshallnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
United States actor (1914-1998)
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
a form of address for a man
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
not any; not one
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
occasionedverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənd/
past form of “occasion” — give occasion to
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
Orkney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
procuredverbUS /proʊˈkjʊrd/
past form of “procure” — get by special effort
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
procuringverbUS /proʊˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “procure” — get by special effort
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
repairsnounUS /rɪˈperz/
plural of “repair” — the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
only a very short time before
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
transport commercially
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
stouter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading There was also some difficulty in procuring new boats for the ship; but Captain Flett at last found a jolly boat, and one morning early I took it out to the Lydia.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Lydia was laid up for about a fortnight.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Captain Gordon never, in my hearing, referred directly to my sister Jessie's caution about the barque's masts; but I noticed that the new masts were made shorter and stouter than those that had suffered in the storm.
at the time that
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
in or at the place that
From this reading A slight delay in completing her repairs was occasioned by the want of timber--a scarce commodity in Orkney, where there are no trees--but suitable material was procured from a homeward-bound ship.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When I went below I found Mr. Gordon sitting over his breakfast with Marshall, his first mate.
