used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
a state at a particular time
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
apart from; not including
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
grampusses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
helmnounUS /helm/
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
helmsmannounUS /ˈhelmzmæn/
the person who steers a ship
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
Higson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
huskyadjectiveUS /ˈhʌski/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
niggers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
Quasho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
precisely, exactly
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
Sambo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
snoringnounUS /ˈsnɔːrɪŋ/
the act of snoring or producing a snoring sound
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
sowsnounUS /soʊz/
plural of “sow” — an adult female hog
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
steeringnounUS /ˈstɪrɪŋ/
the act of guiding or showing the way
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
arousing affect
From this reading "To my mind, Mr Higson, them niggers are all as drunk as sows," he said, coming aft, and touching his hat as he spoke.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
vessel'snounUS /ˈvesəlz/
possessive form of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Me sober as judge," answered the helmsman, in a husky voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
at the time that
From this reading Higson had not observed this when he came on deck after supper, for Sambo, a big, powerful negro, was keeping the vessel's head the right way, and steering a straight course.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading "Quasho and the whole lot of them have turned in, and are snoring away like grampusses, except Sambo here at the helm, and he's pretty well two sheets in the wind."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Sambo, how is it with you?" he asked, to ascertain the condition of the man.
