Chapter X

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

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

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

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

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

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

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

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

appointed to a post or duty

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

past form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

a youthful male person

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

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

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

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

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

a spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

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

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

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

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

of great significance or value

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

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

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

metal shackles; for hands or legs

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

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

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

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

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

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

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

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 UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

provided with a worthy adversary or competitor

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

not any; not one

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

inflected form of “outdo” — be or do something to a greater degree

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

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

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

having a point

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

continued in your keeping or use or memory

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

plural of “spin” — a swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

the person who steers a ship

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

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

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

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

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

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

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

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

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

male cat

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

an award for success in war or hunting

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

plural of “tusk” — a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses

From this reading They had retained the skull of that first huge bull as a trophy, and no walrus taken since had approached it in the length and beauty of the perfectly matched and pointed tusks.

displeasing to the senses

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

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

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

defying expression or description

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

the act of using

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

either of two large northern marine mammals having ivory tusks and tough hide over thick blubber

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading In this Cap’n Pem had played an important part, and finding the regular irons far too heavy for the boy, he had had the blacksmith fashion some special lighter weapons for Jim’s private use.

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

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Tom, to his unspeakable delight, had been made boat steerer and had been assigned to the same craft in which they had battled with the walrus and Jim, not to be outdone, had bent every energy to acquiring skill in using the harpoon and lance.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They had learned much by experience and had killed many of the enormous ugly creatures without mishap.

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading UNAVIK SPINS A YARN Many days had passed since the boys’ first walrus hunt.