The Open Boat

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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

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Essays for The Open Boat

The Open Boat essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Open Boat by Stephen Crane.