Chapter XVI

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

(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 Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

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

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

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

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

the act of burning something

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

ruined by overcooking

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

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

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

past form of “consign” — commit forever; commit irrevocably

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

a social unit living together

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

a young female

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

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

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

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

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

marked by or promising bad fortune

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

freedom from control or influence of another or others

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

and nothing more

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

below the surround or below the normal position

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

past form of “near” — move towards

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

above and across; more than

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

except for; apart from

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

the act of swimming

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

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

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Being an expert swimmer, he thought that, by taking one at a time, he might succeed in bringing them all to the land.

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

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

up to a particular time

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

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 He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

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

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

at the time that

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

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

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

during the time that

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

belonging to which person

From this reading While in California, I had charge, for a while, of a little girl, whose mother had died just as the steamer upon which she was on board neared the wharf at San Francisco.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When she commenced burning, the father hoped to save his family from the flames by swimming with them to the shore.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.

destroyed in an accident

From this reading The father, mother, and two children were on board the ill-fated Independence, which was wrecked, and then burnt, on the coast of Old California.

a late time of life

From this reading He suspended his wife over the ship’s side farthest from the flames, wrapped the babe of ten months in a shawl, and consigned it to the care of a passenger until his return, took the little girl of four years in his arms, lowered himself into the water, and commenced swimming for the shore.