The Open Boat

The Open Boat Glossary

tumultuous

making a loud, confused noise; excited, confused, or disorderly

mourning

the expression of deep sorrow for someone who has died, typically involving following certain conventions such as wearing black clothes

correspondent

a person employed to report for a newspaper or broadcasting organization, typically on a particular subject or from a particular country; a journalist or reporter

aberration

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

foundering

(of a ship) fill with water and sink

formidable

inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

omnibus

a dated term for a bus, i.e. a wheeled vehicle designed to carry many passengers

listless

lacking energy or enthusiasm

haggard

looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering

contrivance

a thing which is created skillfully and inventively to serve a particular purpose

abominable

causing moral revulsion; an affront to nature

impetuous

acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive

ominous

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious

treacherous

(of ground, water, conditions, etc.) hazardous because of hidden or unpredictable dangers

contemplation

the act of serenely considering something; ponderous reflection

surmount

to overcome or prevail against foes or odds

transpire

occur or happen; come to be known

sinister

giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen; evil or criminal

indifferent

having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned

diabolical

belonging to, or so evil as to recall, the Devil

gunwale

the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship

fasten upon

direct one's eyes, thoughts, feelings intently at

slate

a fine-grained gray, green, or bluish metamorphic rock easily split into smooth, flat pieces

bow

the front end of a ship

stern

the rearmost part of a ship or boat

dinghy

a small boat for recreation or racing, especially an open boat with a mast and sails

crest

the curling foamy top of a wave

wan

pale; weak

thwart (noun)

a structural crosspiece sometimes forming a seat for a rower in a boat

keel

the longitudinal structure along the centerline at the bottom of a vessel's hull, on which the rest of the hull is built; in some vessels, extended downward as a blade or ridge to increase stability