Chapter XVI · An Anxious Crew

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

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

close interaction

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

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

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

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

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

not accessible to view

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

a long loud emotional utterance

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

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

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

doing arduous or unpleasant work

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

past form of “launch” — set up or found

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

hear with intention

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

easily agitated

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

not divisible by two

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

and nothing more

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

plural of “plunge” — a brief swim in water

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

one of four equal parts

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

shake with fast, tremulous movements

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

a grounder that rolls along the infield

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

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 Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

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

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

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

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

not known or well known

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

plural of “uprising” — organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

precisely as stated

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

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

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

impaired by diminution

From this reading The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.

in or at the place that

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the wind as it lashed the waves into fury.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they would never finish reefing the sails.

an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an accident.

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

From this reading Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never been launched.