Chapter XII

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

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

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

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.

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

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

of an electrical signal; reduced in amplitude with little or no distortion

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

being very thin

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.

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

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

a former Celtic kingdom in northwestern England; the name continued to be used for the hilly northwestern region of England including the Lake District and the northern Pennines

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

slightly wet

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

third-person singular of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

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

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

hold firmly

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

unpleasantly stern

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

not admitting of penetration or passage into or through

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

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

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

belonging to or active during the night

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

above and across; more than

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

having confidence restored; freed from anxiety

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.

a quick and penetrating intelligence

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

having an oblique or slanted direction

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.

very drunk

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

the property of being scanty or scattered; lacking denseness

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

having a supporting base

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

cut off or left behind

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading Still, he was a trifle reassured when he felt the firm grasp of a hot, bony hand.

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

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

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

at the time that

From this reading NOCTURNAL VISITORS Jefferson was standing at the open door of the house beneath the _Cumbria_'s bridge when Austin first caught sight of him, as he groped his way forward along the slanted deck.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The black, impenetrable obscurity that descends upon the tropic swamps when the air is full of vapour, hung over the stranded steamer, and the man's gaunt figure cut with harsh sharpness against the stream of light.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The thin duck he wore clung about him, soaked with perspiration and the all-pervading damp, emphasising the attenuated spareness of his frame, and Austin could almost have fancied it was a draped skeleton he was gazing at.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "So you have come?" said the American.