Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

a farewell remark

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

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

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

-ing form of “exert” — put to use

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

the act of grasping

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

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

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

easy to reach

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

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

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

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

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

and nothing more

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

the part of a rock formation that appears above the surface of the surrounding land

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

above and across; more than

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

a strong line

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

move hurridly

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

move hurridly

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

make square

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

travel through water

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.

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

From this reading A SQUARE MEAL However, before Jim began his descent, he cut off some of the rope.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

up to a particular time

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading It extended, however, farther than he had thought, and the returning water caught him and it was only by his exerting himself to the utmost that he was able to grip a narrow outcrop of the rock from the face of the cliff.

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

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

which person or people

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Then without any more adieu he let himself down, caught the edge of the trap, then dropped, seizing the rope and thus hand over hand until he was within a few feet of the water, then watching his chance as a wave receded, he dropped onto the sand and at top speed made around the projecting cliff.

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

From this reading Instantly he thought of his comrade, who was much lighter than himself, and though he could swim it would not help him much against the fierce rush of the water.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "That might come in handy, you know," he said.