Chapter II

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

causing inconvenience

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

a youthful male person

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

past form of “command” — be in command of

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

United States naval officer remembered for his heroic deeds (1779-1820)

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

join the military

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

a county in southeastern England on the North Sea and the Thames estuary

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

divisible by two

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

at any time

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

a state of high honor

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading Stephen had won his way upward, and why might not I?

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading INTRODUCING MYSELF.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

a boy or man

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

a unit of instruction

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

plural of “longing” — prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

social deportment

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

the force of workers available

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

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

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading INTRODUCING MYSELF.

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

not any; not one

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Stephen had won his way upward, and why might not I?

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

on one occasion

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

meet the requirements or expectations of

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

being two more than thirty

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

up to a particular time

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

directed up

From this reading Stephen had won his way upward, and why might not I?

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

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

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Stephen had won his way upward, and why might not I?

at the time that

From this reading An awkward, raw-boned lad of fourteen was I when an opportunity came to enlist as a boy on board the _Essex_, a United States frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain David Porter.

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

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

during the time that

From this reading War had been declared; once more was it proposed to give England a lesson in good manners; and while that lesson was being taught, I intended to so act my part that when it was finished I might have gained a recognized position among men, even though I was no more than a boy.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Stephen had won his way upward, and why might not I?

the basic unit of money in South Korea

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading My desire ever had been to join the navy, in which my cousin, Stephen Decatur McKnight, had already won much of glory and a commission; it was through him that I was finally able to satisfy my longings, which had increased from year to year until it seemed as if I could be content in no other sphere of action than that of serving my country upon the ocean.