Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

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

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

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

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

for the reason that

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

divisible by two

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

a wide scope

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

set up or found

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

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

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

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

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

plural of “inlet” — an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

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

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

on one occasion

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

above and across; more than

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

on the contrary

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

Identical; not different.

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

the state of being asleep

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

move hurridly

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

the act of spending or disbursing money

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

travel through water

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

in or at that place or location

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

a special situation

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

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

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

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

From this reading TONY TONKS.

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

From this reading TONY TONKS.

travel across or pass over

From this reading The distance from headland to headland was less than he had often been able to traverse; but, being a stranger on that coast, he had not reckoned, as he should have done, upon the power and strong swirl of the tide.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

the act of gambling

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

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 ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.

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

From this reading But one thing he told me, which I do believe, because it is not so far out of the way, and the same thing might have happened to myself almost.

which person or people

From this reading ONCE I met a man who was a mighty swimmer, spending half his waking time in the water, and even sleeping there sometimes, according to his own account; though I found it rather hard to believe that altogether.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had made a wager to swim across one of those inlets, or arms of the sea, which may be found upon our western coast, where the tide runs in with great force and speed, over a vast expanse of sands.