used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
at or in the front
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
react verbally
From this reading "It may be, though slowly," was the answer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Here comes a lull-- Heaven be praised!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading "Here comes a lull-- Heaven be praised!
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The occasion was a trying one to the young commander.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
GauntletnounUS /ˈɡɔːntlət/
to offer or accept a challenge
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
the act of departing
From this reading Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading "Here comes a lull-- Heaven be praised!
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Here comes a lull-- Heaven be praised!
Higson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.
and nothing more
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
lullverbUS /lʌl/
calm by deception
From this reading "Here comes a lull-- Heaven be praised!
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "It may be, though slowly," was the answer.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The occasion was a trying one to the young commander.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
praisedverbUS /preɪzd/
past form of “praise” — express approval of
From this reading "Here comes a lull-- Heaven be praised!
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading "It may be, though slowly," was the answer.
smoothernounUS /ˈsmuːðər/
a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
make steady
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "It may be, though slowly," was the answer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
troughnounUS /trɔːf/
a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
hard to endure
From this reading The occasion was a trying one to the young commander.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Now the vessels moved ahead; had the water been smoother, by a steady pull the work might have been done; but, as it was, having to plunge into the heavy seas, the _Gauntlet_ was in the trough of one while the brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which had just passed astern of the leading vessel.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The occasion was a trying one to the young commander.
