Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

-ing form of “address” — speak to

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

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

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

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

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

-ing form of “breast” — meet at breast level

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

rid of obstructions

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

intentionally conceived

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

obtain

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

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

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

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

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

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

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

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

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

and nothing more

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

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

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

the officer below the master on a commercial ship

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

a particular point in time

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

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

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

cut with a saw

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

a large beer glass

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

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

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

a male human offspring

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

in the near future

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

clearly and explicitly stated

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

the act of guiding or showing the way

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

express in words

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

a special situation

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

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

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

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

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "It looks to me," he said at length, "like a human being clinging to some box or chair, but it is floating fast this way, and we shall soon be able to tell."

tanned and coarsened from being outdoors

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading "Ben," said the Captain of a smart-looking schooner, that under a heavy weight of canvas was manfully breasting the breeze, almost conscious, one might fancy, that it was steering for home.

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

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

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

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

which person or people

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The mate, a weather-beaten and experienced looking son of the ocean, glanced for a moment in the direction specified, without speaking.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Sure enough, in a moment or two, they were enabled to gain a full, clear view of it, and saw it to be a woman holding fast to a ring of some kind,--a life-preserver they judged it to be,--which kept her head above the waters.

distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)

From this reading "Ben," he inquired, addressing the mate, who had just come on deck, "what is that strange looking thing yonder?" indicating by his finger the direction of the object.