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Chapter XXI · Purser, Purser’s Steward, and Postmaster in a Man-of-War

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Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
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As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.
He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.
Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.
Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.
Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

White Jacket

Chapter XXI · Purser, Purser’s Steward, and Postmaster in a Man-of-War

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.
Line 2
He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.
Line 3
Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.
Line 4
Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.
Line 5
Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.”

Accounts noun US /ˈaccounts/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.”

Confidential adjective US /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading “He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.”

Crew noun US /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.”

Foremost noun US /ˈforemost/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.”

Moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

all

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

assign

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

auction

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

board

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

cases

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

Chaplain

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

clerk

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

close

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

comfortable

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

Commodore

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

conspicuously

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

conventional

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

conversation

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

crewnounUS /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

deputy

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

equals

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

figured

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

file

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

foremostnounUS /ˈforemost/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.

frequently

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

glances

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

gun-room

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

how

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

importance

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

From this reading Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.

important

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

instead

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

intrusts

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

jacket

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

jocular

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

known

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

ledgers

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

man

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

man-of-war

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

From this reading Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

member

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

men-of-war

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

mess

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

more

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

most

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

navy

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

Neversink

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

newspapers

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

non-combatants

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

From this reading Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

official

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

once

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

overhauling

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

perhaps

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

From this reading Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.

personage

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

Professor

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

Purser

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

Purser's

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

rank

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

reminds

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

right-hand

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

seems

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

seen

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

slightly

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

snug

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

somewhat

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

stands

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

From this reading Of all the non-combatants of a man-of-war, the Purser, perhaps, stands foremost in importance.

state-room

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

station

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

steward

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

Surgeon

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

unsuccessful

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

From this reading As the Purser’s steward so conspicuously figured at the unsuccessful auction of my jacket, it reminds me of how important a personage that official is on board of all men-of-war.

usage

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

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Moreover, he is frequently to be seen in close conversation with the Commodore, who, in the Neversink, was more than once known to be slightly jocular with our Purser.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He is the right-hand man and confidential deputy and clerk of the Purser, who intrusts to him all his accounts with the crew, while, in most cases, he himself, snug and comfortable in his state-room, glances over a file of newspapers instead of overhauling his ledgers.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Though he is but a member of the gun-room mess, yet usage seems to assign him a conventional station somewhat above that of his equals in navy rank—the Chaplain, Surgeon, and Professor.