Chapter XXV · A Disembodied Spirit

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

with few mistakes

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

established as genuine

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

an independent state within the British Commonwealth located on the Fiji Islands

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

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

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

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

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

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

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

conformity or harmony

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

plural of “notch” — a V-shaped indentation

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

come into possession of

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

spoil as if by poison

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

possessive form of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

plural of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

used in or connected with a sacrifice

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

acutely insightful and wise

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

get rid of

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

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

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

precisely as stated

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

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

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

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

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The dark foliage of the upas trees shed a funereal gloom around, which well suited this weird spot.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

plural of “whale” — a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

in or at the place that

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

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

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

which person or people

From this reading At the base of a huge vesi was the great sacrificial stone, indented with blows, which told of the many victims who had been there offered to the gods, and notches in the trunk of the tree accurately attested their number.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the hope of keeping on good terms with the bete or priest, Box-of-Tricks, I called upon that sagacious individual, taking with me a suitable present—a necklace made of pieces of whales’ teeth, which were very valuable in Fiji, and equivalent to diamonds with us.

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading The grass seemed to have withered where the priest’s shadow fell.

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

From this reading The Temple to which I directed my steps lay in the deep shadow of upas trees, from which the priests obtain a kind of poison for the sorcerer’s work.