used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
boomsnounUS /buːmz/
plural of “boom” — a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
Craddock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Craddock kept his head.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
one or the other of two
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
divisible by two
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately, Craddock kept his head.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
gybeverb
shift from one side of the ship to the other
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Fortunately, Craddock kept his head.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Fortunately, Craddock kept his head.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
not subject to the control of the will
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Fortunately, Craddock kept his head.
Kestrelnoun
small North American falcon
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
most important element
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
mizzennoun
third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
runnersnounUS /ˈrʌnərz/
plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was running almost dead before the present breeze.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
the season of growth
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
squallverbUS /skwɔːl/
make high-pitched, whiney noises
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Should the blast come from even a slightly different direction there was the great risk of an involuntary gybe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
unfavourableadjective
not encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading The _Kestrel_ was in an unfavourable position to withstand the first of the squall.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The main and mizzen booms would swing over with terrific force and either carry away the runners or else spring one or both masts.
