used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
barque-rigged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the sheet of flame must have helped her progress.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
divisible by two
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
moving swiftly
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
foremastnoun
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But the sheet of flame must have helped her progress.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
headwaynounUS /ˈhedweɪ/
vertical space available to allow easy passage under something
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But the sheet of flame must have helped her progress.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
the act of retaining something
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
leewardnounUS /ˈliːwərd/
the direction in which the wind is blowing
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
most important element
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
not any; not one
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
being perceived or observed
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading But the sheet of flame must have helped her progress.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
precisely, exactly
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
transport commercially
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
having a supporting base
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
not in physical motion
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I can think of no other explanation" Neither could I—and I believe that he was right.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
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 For here we were with a ship flying light, and sufficient canvas spread to drive us to leeward at a rate of four or five knots an hour, even with the main yard holding her dead.
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 She had been barque-rigged, as I said, and the foremast with its heavy yards, still standing, kept her head three or four points off the wind, so that she lay in the position of running free; her sides, too, were high, caught a lot of wind, and gave her headway.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, I noticed it" said he "It seems to me that the sheet of flame must in some way be acting like an enormous sail.
