English vocab Flashcards
Skiff
A small, light boat, often used for rowing or sailing
Gaff
A pole with a hook on the end, used to catch or lift fish, or a type of sailing rig with a spar attached to the sail
Benevolent
Showing kindness or goodwill; having a desire to help others
Thwart
A seat or structural beam extending across a boat, or to oppose or prevent something from happening
Humility
The quality of being humble, or having a modest view of one’s most importance
Furled
Rolled or folded up, typically referring to sails or flags
Phosphorescence
A faint, glowing light that persists in the dark, emitted without heat, often seen in marine organisms
Albacore
A species of tuna, known for its long fins and often used in canned tuna
Fathom
A unit of measurement (6 feet) used to gauge the depth of water, or to understand something deeply
Ineffectually
Without producing the desired effect; in a way that is ineffective or useless
Iridescent
Showing luminous colors that seem to change when viewed from different angle, like a soap bubble or peacock feather
Myriad
A countless or extremely large number of things
Malignancy
The quality of being harmful or dangerous, often used in medical terms to describe a cancerous tumor
Bitt
A sturdy post on a ship’s deck used to secure ropes or cables
Sounds (Nautical term)
Deep areas of water, usually between the coast and offshore islands, or a method for measuring the depth of water
Gunwale
The upper edge or side of a boat’s hull
Rapier
A long thin, and sharp sword, typically used for thrusting rather than cutting
Convulsively
In a way that involves sudden, uncontrollable movements or spasms
Prolong
To extend the duration of something, to make something last longer
Undulation
A smooth, wave-like motion or pattern
Ptomaine
A type of food poisoning caused by bacterial decay in spoiled food
Cross trees
Horizontal beams near the top of a ship’s mast, used to support the rigging and the upper part of the mast
Masthead
The highest part of the ship’s mast, often where a lookout or flag is positioned
Guano
Bird droppings used as fertilizer; a major trade item of Peru in the late nineteenth century
Violated
Broken or disregarded (a rule or agreement), or damaged or harmed
Sustenance
Something that provides nourishment or support, often referring to food and drink needed to survive
Mutilated
Severely damaged or disfigured, often referring to injury or destruction of a body or object
Bodega (mega)
A small grocery store, especially in a Spanish-speaking neighborhood
Virgin of Cobre
The patron saint of Cuba
