Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

lacking funds

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

a lantern with a single opening and a sliding panel that can be closed to conceal the light

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

a change for the better

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

try to manage without help

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading "Look," said Venning; and he flashed the bull's-eye on the bank.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

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

From this reading "Look," said Venning; and he flashed the bull's-eye on the bank.

an ancient Numidian town in northwestern Africa adjoining present-day Annaba in northeastern Algeria

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

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

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

plural of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

plural of “lever” — a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

hear with intention

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "Look," said Venning; and he flashed the bull's-eye on the bank.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In one of these silences a whisper came from the bows.

and nothing more

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

the fur of an otter

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

above and across; more than

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

thrust or throw into

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

precisely, exactly

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Look," said Venning; and he flashed the bull's-eye on the bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

hit with a missile from a weapon

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)

From this reading In one of these silences a whisper came from the bows.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

catch on a snag

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

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

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

in a stealthy manner

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading In one of these silences a whisper came from the bows.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at times to listen as some loud noise broke the silence--the plunge of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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

From this reading The levers were muffled, and the "lookout," with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows.

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

From this reading "Look," said Venning; and he flashed the bull's-eye on the bank.

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

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

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 ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading In one of these silences a whisper came from the bows.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading ACROSS THE LAGOON As the night came stealthily creeping over wood and water, sending hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank.