used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
barque's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
CanariesnounUS /kəˈneriz/
a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa forming Spanish provinces
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
dog-watches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
intricaciesnounUS /ˈɪntrəkəsiz/
plural of “intricacy” — marked by elaborately complex detail
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
Kelvinhaugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
a boy or man
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
latitudenounUS /ˈlætətuːd/
the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
masteredadjectiveUS /ˈmæstərd/
understood perfectly
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
mate's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
Nickerson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
north-eastadverbUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/
to, toward, or in the northeast
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
be obedient to
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
steerverbUS /stɪr/
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
SundaysnounUS /ˈsʌndeɪz/
plural of “sunday” — first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
carry out
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Nickerson seemed indeed to be his best friend among the after guard.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
look attentively
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading He was willing and jumped to obey a command.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In the dog-watches and on Sundays, the mate took Donald in hand and taught him how to steer, and by the time the _Kelvinhaugh_ had picked up the north-east trade winds in the latitude of the Canaries, he was able to take a wheel in fine weather and steer "by the wind" or by compass.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was intelligent and mastered the intricacies of the big barque's rigging and gear in less time than most green hands would have taken to determine bow from stern and starboard from port.
but in spite of that
From this reading Though not in the mate's watch, yet that officer did not take long to size Donald up as a lad having the right spirit in him for a sailor.
