Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The flagpole was gone--and a new one had been neglected.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

the two together, not just one

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

plural of “center” — an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

not accessible to view

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

plural of “disappointment” — a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

moving toward the east

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

plural of “exile” — a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

opinion or judgment

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

surveying instrument consisting of a straight rod painted in bands of alternate red and white each one foot wide; used for sightings by surveyors

From this reading The flagpole was gone--and a new one had been neglected.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

a conical shape with a wider and a narrower opening at the two ends

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The flagpole was gone--and a new one had been neglected.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

not easy to believe

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

plural of “inroad” — an encroachment or intrusion

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

immediately past

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

disregarded

From this reading The flagpole was gone--and a new one had been neglected.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The flagpole was gone--and a new one had been neglected.

not any; not one

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

and nothing more

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

make a painting

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

by chance

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

with little or no delay

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

front part of a vessel or aircraft

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

plural of “pulse” — (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

one of four equal parts

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

-ing form of “respect” — regard highly; think much of

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

cut with a saw

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

an intense or violent exertion

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

past form of “surge” — rise and move, as in waves or billows

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

very small

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading A trick of the sun, or perhaps her paint, had concealed both masts and funnel for a time, presenting only a rakish angle of her prow and quarter, incredibly like a sail of the shape the Dyaks employ.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

without interruption

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading But, if eager excitement surged uninterruptedly through the pulses of the two ragged exiles, there on the barren headland, the bitterness of vain disappointments promptly began their inroads to its centers.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The yacht was not only in great apparent haste, but was heading far off to the eastward, with not the slightest curiosity respecting the tiny island of whom no one could give a good report.

an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading THE LAST BOMB It certainly was a modern yacht that the two of them saw, straining their eyes to identify the stranger roving afar in their waters.