n. Naut. One who operates or helps operate a ship.
Grommet
n. 1.a. A reinforced eyelet, as in cloth, through which a fastener may be passed. b. A small metal or plastic ring used to reinforce a grommet. 2. Naut. A loop of rope or metal used for securing the edge of a sail to its stay.
Truckle
v. To be servile or submissive.
Tipple
v. To drink (alcoholic liquor) or engage in such drinking, esp. habitually or to excess.
n. Alcoholic liquor.
Leviathan
n. 1. Something unusually large of its kind, esp. a ship. 2. A very large animal, esp. a whale. 3. A monstrous sea creature mentioned in the Bible.
Tether
n. 1. A rope or chain for holding an animal in place, allowing it a short radius in which to move about. 2. The extent or limit of one’s resources, abilities, or endurance.
tr.v. To fasten or restrict with or as if with a tether.
Savage
n. 1. A primitive or uncivilized person. 2. A brutal, fierce, or vicious person. 3. A rude person; a boor.
tr.v. 1. To assault ferociously. 2. To attack without restraint or pity.
The most popular books are often savaged by critics for their writing style, yet these writers are clearly connecting with readers.
— Betsy Lerner, The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers
Concatenate
v. 1. To connect or link in a series or chain. 2. Comp. Sci. To arrange (strings of characters) into a chained list.
Ossify
v. intr. 1. To change into bone; become bony. 2. To become set in a rigid conventionalism.
Grit
n. 4. Informal. Indomitable spirit. Pluck.
