used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
awfullyadverbUS /ˈɑːfli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
BillowverbUS /ˈbɪloʊ/
rise up as if in waves
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
BombaynounUS /bɑːmˈbeɪ/
a city in western India just off the coast of the Arabian Sea; India's 2nd largest city (after Calcutta); has the only natural deep-water harbor in western India
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
ChinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
convoynounUS /ˈkɑːnvɔɪ/
a procession of land vehicles traveling together
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
crestsnounUS /krests/
plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
cruiseverbUS /kruːz/
drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
deadenverbUS /ˈdedən/
make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
frothyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːθi/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
furling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
howledverbUS /haʊld/
past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
uttered with a trill
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
transport commercially
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
precisely as stated
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first time I had beheld the sea in such commotion, and the spectacle was awfully grand.
water-butt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
weednounUS /wiːd/
any plant that crowds out cultivated plants
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
at the time that
From this reading We had not quitted port more than a week, when we encountered a very severe gale.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
wildnessnounUS /ˈwaɪldnəs/
a feeling of extreme emotional intensity
From this reading Billow after billow beat over us, and as the rolling waves dashed up their frothy crests to heaven, roaring in the wildness of their fury, I could not help thinking how different the noise was from the comparison of my poor mother, when she heard the rain patter into the water-butt.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We sailed a few days afterwards with a convoy for Bombay and China, but destined to cruise ourselves in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The noble ship was borne like a weed upon the ocean at the mercy of the tempest, which howled through the rigging so as to deaden the shouts of the seamen while furling the heavy sails upon the yards.
