Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

without doubt or question

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

a variable color averaging a deep pink

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

someone who is a detective

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

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

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

mark as different

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

plural of “dolphin” — large slender food and game fish widely distributed in warm seas (especially around Hawaii)

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

a boy or man

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

an article of clothing

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

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

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

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

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

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

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading THE HUMAN RACE.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

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

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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 The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

being perceived or observed

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

and nothing more

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

above and across; more than

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

any competition

From this reading THE HUMAN RACE.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

only a very short time before

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

plural of “stump” — the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

travel through water

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading THE HUMAN RACE.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

the act of tying or binding things together

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

in or at the place that

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

during the time that

From this reading The little thin fish seemed to be a long while catching them up, and, while they were waiting, Marjorie espied a curious figure poking about among the seaweed a short distance away from them.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why, it's a man!" cried Dick, as they drew nearer, and could distinguish him more clearly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading "I wonder what it is!" she cried, and the children dismounted from the Dolphins, and, tying them by the reins to some coral stumps, so that they could not swim away, they half walked and half swam over to where Marjorie had first noticed the creature, whatever it was.

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

From this reading He was a wretched-looking old fellow, with a heavy sack upon his back, and was clothed only in a ragged old garment, which scarcely reached to his knees.