Chapter XI

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

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

(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 We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

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

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

a person who is in charge

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

not to your liking

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

opinion or judgment

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

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

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

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

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

intense and profound fear

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

plural of “horror” — intense and profound fear

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

the quality of being just or fair

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

in your mind

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

a servile or fawning dependant

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

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

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

so strong as to be irresistible

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

in accord with physical laws

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

express in words

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

only a very short time before

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

a small and inadequate amount

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

apprehension about what is going to happen

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The scarcity of food was not a horror, but certainly the experience in the great hall had been more than disagreeable.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading THE MINION POINTS A MORAL, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT ADORN A TALE.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

precisely as stated

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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 Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The passage was dark in itself, but there stood a little way down, amid its sombre gloom, the skeleton of the Chief Justice.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

impaired by diminution

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

at the time that

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

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

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

which person or people

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading We were weakened mentally and physically, so that it is not to be wondered at that we all showed overpowering signs of terror at the sight which now met our eyes.

past form of “wrack” — smash or break forcefully

From this reading Those who have never passed through days of wearing suspense, days of anxiety, days when water was scarce and food more so, days when, as in my case and the lad's, we were in danger of death, and, in fact, were very near to his dread presence--I say that those who have never suffered these things can not imagine how wracked and torn one's nerves become with a combination of such disagreeables and horrors.