Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

later than; following

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

fully understood or grasped

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

inflected form of “bite” — to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

a desirable state

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

travel across or pass over

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

provide as food

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

moving swiftly

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

set up or found

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

past form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

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

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

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

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

the act of departing

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

in a literal sense

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

obscene terms for feces

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

cut with a saw

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The ship's rats had evidently had a good feed, for many of the fish were gnawed and bitten.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

and nothing more

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

cooked in steam

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

an unbroken series of events

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

a city in northeastern Egypt at the head of the Gulf of Suez and at the southern end of the Suez Canal

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

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

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.

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

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading At night they were now permitted to sleep on deck--a boon which all three appreciated highly.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

at the time that

From this reading One morning, when they went on deck, they found it literally strewn with flying fish.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Three days after leaving Suez they saw, for the first time, the Southern Cross, and, on the following morning, they steamed into what, at first sight, Fred and Charlie thought was land, but was simply a wide streak of floating sand which had been blown out to sea during a sand-storm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They took their blankets and pillows on to the poop, and slept with greater comfort than they had experienced for many days, though one night they were caught in a heavy thunder-shower.