used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
bloodyadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdi/
having or covered with or accompanied by blood
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
confined by bonds
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
exposurenounUS /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/
vulnerability to the elements; to the action of heat or cold or wind or rain
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
Legrand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
mutineersnounUS /ˌmjuːtɪˈnɪrz/
plural of “mutineer” — someone who is openly rebellious and refuses to obey authorities (especially seamen or soldiers)
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
not any; not one
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
perishedverbUS /ˈperɪʃt/
past form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
starvationnounUS /stɑːrˈveɪʃən/
a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake.
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 Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ON THE ISLAND We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness.
