Chapter XIX

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

(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 The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

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

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

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

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

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

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

possessive form of “brown” — an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

make calm or still

From this reading One morning it fell dead calm.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

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

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading One morning it fell dead calm.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

divisible by two

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading One morning it fell dead calm.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

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

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

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 As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

the officer below the master on a commercial ship

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading One morning it fell dead calm.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

past form of “near” — move towards

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

absolutely essential

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One morning it fell dead calm.

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

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

except for; apart from

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

not often

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

transport commercially

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

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

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

make high-pitched, whiney noises

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

carry out

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

plural of “variable” — something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

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

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

look attentively

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The third mate was not enough of a sailor to take advantage of the slants, and the heavy weather of the pampero was approaching.

(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 As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It made it necessary for me to be on deck most of the time, and even then I could not save some of the lighter canvas which was caught in a squall.

which person or people

From this reading The strain was hard, but Benson, who kept strict watch with his mate, Johnson, called me at any sudden change and spared me not at all.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.

a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features

From this reading As long as the trade-wind lasted I managed to run the ship well enough with Brown’s help, for there was seldom much to do in the way of handling canvas, but as we neared the zone of variables things took a different turn.