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The Seafarers
The Seafarers

Chapter XVII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
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'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.
Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.
And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.
Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.
But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Seafarers

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.
Line 2
Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.
Line 3
And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.
Line 4
Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.
Line 5
But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Jib-boom noun US /ˈdʒɪb buːm/

a spar extending the foot of a sailing ship’s jib

From this reading “Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Overboard adverb US /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/

from a ship into the water

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.”

All words in this reading · 119

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

accident

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

all

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

aloft

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

any

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

astern

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

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

avail

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

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

aware

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

Bella

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

boom

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

Brown

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

case

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

Emperor

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

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

endeavouring

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

fact

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

falling

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

FAREWELL

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

fell

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

fellow

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

flying

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

frame

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

gone

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

happened

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

head

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

Instead

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

intricacies

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

jib

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

jib-boomnounUS /ˈdʒɪb buːm/

a spar extending the foot of a sailing ship’s jib

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

known

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

later

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

latter

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

life-buoy

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

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

man

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

manfully

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

mile

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

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

moment

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

more

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

named

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

notwithstanding

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

observed

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

off

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

only

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

out

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/

from a ship into the water

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

port

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

possibility

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

rise

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

RIVAL

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

rushed

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

sailor

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

seaman

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

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

see

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

set

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

shiny

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

side

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

some

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

squaring

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

strike

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Instead, she would have been aware that such an accident could only have happened to some seaman who had either gone aloft or out on to the jib-boom.

surface

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

thrown

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

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

timbers

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

understood

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

undoubtedly

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

unfortunate

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

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

unhappy

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

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading And, in fact, the latter was the case; the unfortunate fellow, a man named Brown, falling off the boom while endeavouring to set the flying jib, and being struck a moment later by the frame timbers forward as he fell.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

whoever

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But what could that avail, since, by the time the _Emperor_ could be brought to the wind and a life-buoy thrown overboard, he was half a mile astern?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

yards

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

From this reading 'FAREWELL, MY RIVAL' Had Bella known more about a ship and its intricacies she would have understood that, notwithstanding some one had undoubtedly gone overboard, the sailor, whoever he was, could not by any possibility have been one of those who had gone to help in squaring the yards.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet the unhappy sailor seemed still to have some life left in him, as those who rushed to the port side could see, since, as he was passed by the ship, he was observed to rise to the surface--his head all shiny with blood--and to strike out manfully.