Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

later than; following

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

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

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

in a beautiful manner

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

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

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

an indefinite time in the future

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

clothing in general

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

the act of grasping

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

carefully weighed

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

worthy of often limited commendation

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

a notable achievement

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

a rapid active commotion

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

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

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

utter a sound, as with obvious effort

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

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

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

ten 10s

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

made difficult or slow

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

as a matter of instinct

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

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

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

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

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

(baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

engage in

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

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

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

a particular point in time

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a form of address for a man

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 gills or 568.26 cubic centimeters

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

thrust or throw into

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

cut with a saw

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

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

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

lie obliquely

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

carry out

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

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

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

in the direction of

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

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

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

directed up

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

precisely as stated

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight

From this reading But after this fair first effort Mr Markham, as his clothes weighed him down, began--as the phrase is--to make very bad weather of it.

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

From this reading It was a beautifully clean dive; but in the flurry of the plunge the third officer forgot for an instant the right upward slant of the palms, and went a great way deeper than he had intended.

at the time that

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

in or at the place that

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading By great good luck the first life-belt had fallen within a few feet of him, and Mr Markham had somehow managed to get within reach and clutch it--a highly creditable feat when it is considered that he was at best a poor swimmer, that the fall had knocked more than half the breath out of his body, that he had swallowed close on a pint of salt water, and that a heavy overcoat impeded his movements.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading By-and-by a life-belt swam up into sight; then another--at least a dozen had been flung; and beyond these at length, on the climbing crest of the swell two hundred yards away, the head and shoulders of Mr Markham.

possessive form of “yesterday” — the day immediately before today

From this reading By the time he rose to the surface the liner had slid by, and for a moment or two he saw nothing; for instinctively he came up facing aft, towards the spot where Mr Markham had fallen, and the long sea running after yesterday's gale threw up a ridge that seemed to take minutes--though in fact it took but a few seconds--to sink and heave up the trough beyond.