1. To have a calming effect - "Oh, well," said the captain, reassuring his children, "We'll make it ashore without issue."
The term soothe means to ease or gently calm someone. The captain's remarks aim to calm his children and provide them comfort.
2. To get up or raise oneself - The captain cautiously reared in the bow once the dinghy rode a large wave, mentioning he spotted the lighthouse at Mosquito Inlet.
To rear can mean to elevate, to rise up.
3. To search or peer at thoroughly to locate something - Finally, a gentler wave arrived, and at its crest, he quickly scoured the western horizon.
To scour means to conduct a thorough and swift search of a location, text, etc., to find something.
4. To crouch or sit with bent knees - The cook squatted in the bottom and gazed with both eyes at the six inches of gunwale that separated him from the ocean.
To squat means to bend down or sit with knees bent, with heels close to or touching the thighs or buttocks.
