used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
Barnabas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
(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 IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
without deviation
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
flat-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
guessingnounUS /ˈɡesɪŋ/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
gunwales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
likelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪklihʊd/
the probability of a specified outcome
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
of an obscure nature
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
on one occasion
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
pebblyadjective
abounding in small stones
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
precisely, exactly
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
screechingnounUS /ˈskriːtʃɪŋ/
a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
straggledverbUS /ˈstræɡəld/
past form of “straggle” — wander from a direct or straight course
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
SusquehannanounUS /ˌsuːskweˈhænə/
a river in the northeastern United States that rises in New York and flows southward through Pennsylvania and Maryland into Chesapeake Bay
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
water-birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
accept gladly
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If they thought about the chances at all, as they ran desperately before the screeching Indians, it was to realize what little likelihood there was of finding a boat, or of safely gaining the farther bank by swimming.
at the time that
From this reading But when they had plunged through a slope of water-birches, and straggled breathlessly down to the pebbly shore of the Susquehanna, a welcome sight at once met their eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND PLAYS A PART Barnabas was right in guessing the river to be near, and the fugitives could not have approached it at a better time or place, though they had little idea of the good fortune in store for them.
Who's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Almost directly opposite, and twenty yards out in the stream, a big flat-boat was drifting leisurely with the current.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading Over the high gunwales rose two or three heads, and a voice demanded sharply: "Who's yonder?"
