Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading I was a pilot now, full fledged.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

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

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

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

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading I had to seek another livelihood.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

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

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

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

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

someone who communicates by means of letters

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

having made preparations

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

plural of “employment” — the state of being employed or having a job

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household)

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

(of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination

From this reading I was a pilot now, full fledged.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

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

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading I was a pilot now, full fledged.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

the act of departing

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

coins made of gold

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

destroyed or killed

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

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

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

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

From this reading I had to seek another livelihood.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

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

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

property consisting of houses and land

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

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

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

of or relating to or used in instruction

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

stopping and starting at irregular intervals

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

immediately past

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

deliver a lecture or talk

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let us resume, now.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading I had to seek another livelihood.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

laborer who works in a mine

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading IN due course I got my license.

a state in the western United States

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

not any; not one

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

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

From this reading I was a pilot now, full fledged.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

operate an airplane

From this reading I was a pilot now, full fledged.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

in the manner of prosperous people

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

-ing form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

take up or begin anew

From this reading Let us resume, now.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

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

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

two (or more) slices of bread with a filling between them

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

informal terms for journalists

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

try to get or reach

From this reading I had to seek another livelihood.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

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

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

with no problems or difficulties

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

make steady

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

required or under orders

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

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

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

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

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

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

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

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

From this reading So I became a silver miner in Nevada; next, a newspaper reporter; next, a gold miner, in California; next, a reporter in San Francisco; next, a special correspondent in the Sandwich Islands; next, a roving correspondent in Europe and the East; next, an instructional torch-bearer on the lecture platform; and, finally, I became a scribbler of books, and an immovable fixture among the other rocks of New England.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

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

From this reading Let us resume, now.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading But by and by the war came, commerce was suspended, my occupation was gone.

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

From this reading I was a pilot now, full fledged.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

at the time that

From this reading Time drifted smoothly and prosperously on, and I supposed--and hoped--that I was going to follow the river the rest of my days, and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

the words that are spoken

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading I dropped into casual employments; no misfortunes resulting, intermittent work gave place to steady and protracted engagements.

a late time of life

From this reading In so few words have I disposed of the twenty-one slow-drifting years that have come and gone since I last looked from the windows of a pilot- house.