Chapter V

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

only a very short time before

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading "Keep cool, and be perfectly unconcerned.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

put or send forth

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading "Keep cool, and be perfectly unconcerned.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

a lateen-rigged sailing vessel used by Arabs

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

come together

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Now for it," whispered Tom.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

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

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Now for it," whispered Tom.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading "Keep cool, and be perfectly unconcerned.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

the force of workers available

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

plural of “mooring” — a place where a craft can be made fast

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "Now for it," whispered Tom.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

and nothing more

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading "Keep cool, and be perfectly unconcerned.

plural of “revolver” — a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

hit with a missile from a weapon

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

in a vehement outcry

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

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

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

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

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

male cat

From this reading "Now for it," whispered Tom.

a source of difficulty

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.

lacking in interest or care or feeling

From this reading "Keep cool, and be perfectly unconcerned.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

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

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

at the time that

From this reading A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER Barely half an hour had passed from the time when the sail was unloosed, and the dhow cast off her moorings, before one of the crew knelt upon the deck, and, thrusting his head through the hatchway, shouted to Jim and his companion to come out of the hold.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading "Now for it," whispered Tom.

which person or people

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

in the company of; together with

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

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

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

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

From this reading You've only got to look at those fellows' faces to see that we have to deal with desperate men, who would kill us if they had the slightest doubts of our good faith.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading If there is trouble, do not hesitate for an instant, but draw your revolvers and shoot.