Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

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

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading ANOTHER LETTER.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

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

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

make calm or still

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

seemingly without interruption

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

placed crosswise

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

an athletic competition that involves diving into water

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

to an exceptional degree

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

moving swiftly

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

the lowest sail on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

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

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

immediately past

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading ANOTHER LETTER.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

the middle of the day

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

being perceived or observed

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

many times at short intervals

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

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

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

having a pair of equal and opposite charges

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The sea appeared almost free of ice, or, more exactly, the ice could be avoided.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

transport commercially

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

the compass point midway between south and east; at 135 degrees

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

a fore-and-aft sail set on a stay (as between two masts)

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

the act of swimming

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

a blue-green color or pigment

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

precisely as stated

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading The Polar Circle was crossed at last; on the 30th of April, at midday, the _Forward_ passed by Holsteinborg; picturesque mountains arose in the east.

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 That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

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

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

a Caucasian

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind was from the southeast, and the brig, under foresail, staysail, and topsails, sailed up Baffin's Bay.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That day was exceptionally calm and the crew was able to get some rest; numerous birds were swimming and flying about the ship; among others, the doctor noticed some wild birds which were very like teal, with black neck, wings, and back, and a white breast; they were continually diving, and often remained more than forty seconds under water.