used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
anew
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
(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 This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
bolt-ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
fore-rigging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
foretopsail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
gallingadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːlɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
only a very short time before
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
landsman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
man-of-warnoun
a warship intended for combat
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
marksmennounUS /ˈmɑːrksmen/
plural of “marksman” — someone skilled in shooting
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
mast-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
the force of workers available
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
a particular point in time
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
not one, and not any
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
privateernoun
an officer or crew member of a privateer
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
with speed
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
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 This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
except for; apart from
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
stern-chasers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
tattersnounUS /ˈtætərz/
plural of “tatter” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Her guns must have had picked marksmen stationed at them, for hardly a shot was thrown away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
topgallantsail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "As the privateer had anticipated, the moment the brig rounded to, her foretopsail and topgallantsail, already in tatters, blew clean out of the bolt-ropes.
topgallantyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
topsailnoun
a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
unpleasantlyadverbUS /ənˈplezəntli/
in an unpleasant manner
From this reading In the meantime her bow guns had not been silent; a pretty smart conversation was carried on between them and our stern-chasers, and _their_ answers were most unpleasantly _true_ and galling.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading This was a glorious sight for the privateer, but a sad one for us poor prisoners; we thought that all chance of escape was at an end, and that it was impossible for the brig to shift her sails quickly enough to save her distance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
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 But 'impossible' is a landsman's word--there is none such on board a British man-of-war; her fore-rigging was swarming with men in a moment, and in ten minutes more they were _bringing_ a new topsail _to_ the yard, and the topgallantyard was on its way to the mast-head again.
