Chapter IV

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

plural of “amateur” — someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

past form of “arrest” — take into custody

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

the lower side of anything

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a youthful male person

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

plural of “cask” — the quantity a cask will hold

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

plural of “catch” — a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the state of being certain

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a person who is in charge

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a painful and involuntary muscular contraction

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

dearly loved

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

past form of “denominate” — assign a name or title to

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

psychological suffering

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

one or the other of two

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

an act that fails

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a gay festivity

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a man of refinement

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

the act of departing

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

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

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

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

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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 “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a boy or man

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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 It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

something that is lost

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

engage in

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

of or relating to the sea

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a person who is feeling grief (as grieving over someone who has died)

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a form of address for a man

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

not any; not one

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

an implement used to propel or steer a boat

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

-ing form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

(of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

any red eruption of the skin

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

the act of putting something in working order again

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

free from harm or evil

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

cut with a saw

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

to a small degree or extent

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

refrain from harming

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

with speed

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

plural of “stray” — an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal)

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

inflected form of “strive” — attempt by employing effort

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

sinking until covered completely with water

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a man who courts a woman

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

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

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

up to a particular time

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”

moved around an axis or center

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

badly timed

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

precisely as stated

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

someone who visits

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading As he said himself, “There’s no depending on these gentlemen, so I thought it very likely I might be wanted, and stood ‘off and on’ till I saw Mr. Hardingstone making signals of distress.

a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

look attentively

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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 “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

at the time that

From this reading It was on the hopeless chance of picking up these “waifs and strays” as they drifted down with the tide, that “Hairblower” was paddling about in a shallow skiff, denominated “a dinghy,” when his attention was arrested by an adventurous swimmer striking boldly out at a long distance from the beach.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

which person or people

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That Hairblower’s boat-hook should have been ready at the nick of time was one of those “circumstances,” as he called them, which he designated “special,” and turned upon the fact of his having started a party of amateurs in the morning on a sort of marine picnic, from which they had returned prematurely, the gala proving a failure, with no greater loss than that of a spare oar and one or two small casks belonging to the seaman.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

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

From this reading “LIBITINA” THE DROWNING MAN CATCHES AT A BOAT-HOOK--A BRITISH FISHERMAN--THE MOTHER STRUCK DOWN--THE SICK-ROOM--WATCH AND WARD--THE VISITOR THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED--A PRESSING SUITOR--THE CHIEF MOURNER To keep a gentleman waiting any length of time, either in hot water or cold, is decidedly a breach of the laws of politeness, to repair which we must return as speedily as possible to “Cousin Charlie” and his friend, lying somewhat limp and blue at the bottom of “Hairblower’s” dinghy; this worthy, under Providence, having been the means of saving the rash swimmer and the gallant boy who strove to rescue him from an untimely death, which a very few seconds more of submersion would have made a certainty.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It’s no joke that cramp isn’t, half-a-mile out at sea; and I might have been too late with the boat-hook if it hadn’t been for Master Charles--dear, dear, there’s stuff in that lad you might cut an admiral out of, and they’re going to make ‘a soger’ of him!”