Chapter XVI · The _Kestrel_ to the Rescue

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

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

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

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

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

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

a telegram sent abroad

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

in accordance with convention or custom

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

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

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

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

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

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

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

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

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

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

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

past form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

inflected form of “heave” — utter a sound, as with obvious effort

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

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

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

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

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

refuse to comply

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

small North American falcon

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

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 By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

a boy or man

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

possessive form of “leader” — a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

most important element

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

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 By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

not any; not one

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

and nothing more

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

travel past

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

located far away spatially

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

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 By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

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

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

the outline of objects seen against the sky

From this reading Already the _Merlin_ was hull-down, only her canvas showing above the skyline.

a strait of the English Channel between the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading The remote possibility of being able to overhaul the _Merlin_ acted as a spur.

a fore-and-aft sail set on a stay (as between two masts)

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck)

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

past form of “stow” — fill by packing tightly

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

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

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

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

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

made neat and tidy by trimming

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

precisely as stated

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

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

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The Sea Scouts needed no second bidding to get under way.

past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

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

From this reading By this time each lad knew his particular duty, and in very quick time main and mizzen sails were set, head-sails hoisted in stops, and the cable hove short.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Then, at the Patrol Leader’s word of command, the anchor was weighed and stowed in its customary place, the jib and staysail were broken out and trimmed to catch the favouring breeze, and within five minutes from the order to get under way the _Kestrel_ was heading for the distant Solent.