Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading A CLOSE CALL.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A CLOSE CALL.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading A CLOSE CALL.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

any of a class of organic compounds containing the cyano radical -CN

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

causing or capable of causing death

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

let fall to the ground

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

divisible by two

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

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

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

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

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

the act of departing

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

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

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

and nothing more

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

past form of “manipulate” — influence or control shrewdly or deviously

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

above and across; more than

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

cover with planks

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

having the qualities or effects of a poison

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

someone who explores an area for mineral deposits

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

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

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As Ballard dropped, he flung out his arms, seized the plank, and so kept head and shoulders out of the cyanide.

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

a coming to an end of a contract period

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

a special situation

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

in the direction of

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

hard to endure

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.

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

From this reading Ballard, kicking around in the solution, was trying to drag himself up on the plank as Merry crept toward him.

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

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Just one thing saved Ballard from going over his head into the cyanide solution, and that was this: Porter had not twisted the plank off the rim of the tank, but had manipulated it in such a way as to cause Ballard to lose his footing and drop into the poisonous liquid beneath.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had he gone under or swallowed even a few drops of the deadly stuff, that pursuit of the savage prospector would have had a tragic termination.