used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
(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 And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
any thing at all
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
terminate
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
start firing a weapon
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
heaven-sentadjective
peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
immediately past
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
numbedverbUS /nʌmd/
past form of “numb” — make numb or insensitive
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
on one occasion
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
SAMARITANnounUS /səˈmerɪtən/
a member of the people inhabiting Samaria in biblical times
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
SKIPPERnounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
make square
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
express in words
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
at the time that
From this reading And one fact I realized at once--I was further away from land than when I had begun my battle with death.
wispnounUS /wɪsp/
a small tuft or lock
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was numbed and shivering with cold--but I was alive and safe.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And as the light grew and grew, and the sun at last came up, a ball of fire out of the far horizon, I looked across the sea on all sides, hoping to catch sight of a sail, or of a wisp of smoke--of anything that would tell me of the near presence of human beings.
wreckagenounUS /ˈrekədʒ/
the remaining parts of something that has been wrecked
From this reading THE SAMARITAN SKIPPER I clung to that heaven-sent bit of wreckage, exhausted and weary, until the light began to break in the east.
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 That square yard of good and solid wood was as much to me as if it had been a floating island.
