Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

(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 Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

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

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

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

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

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

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

inflected form of “behold” — see with attention

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

the first light of day

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

a very small circular shape

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

any strong feeling

From this reading The sea, the rigging, the vessel itself, all vibrated and quivered as if with emotion.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

inflected form of “foretell” — foreshadow or presage

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

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

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

a high place

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

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

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of Asia extending 1,300 miles between the Sea of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

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

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

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 Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

a particular point in time

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

of an obscure nature

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

a city in southern Japan on Kyushu; a leading port and shipbuilding center; on August 9, 1945 Nagasaki became the second populated area to receive an atomic bomb

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

above and across; more than

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

of a leaf tipped with pink

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

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

From this reading The sea, the rigging, the vessel itself, all vibrated and quivered as if with emotion.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails

From this reading The sea, the rigging, the vessel itself, all vibrated and quivered as if with emotion.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

cut with a saw

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

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

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

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

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

in the near future

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

very small

From this reading At first we saw nothing by the rays of the rising sun but a series of tiny pink-tipped heights (the Fukai Islands).

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

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading The sea, the rigging, the vessel itself, all vibrated and quivered as if with emotion.

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

From this reading The sea, the rigging, the vessel itself, all vibrated and quivered as if with emotion.

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

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Soon, however, appeared all along the horizon, like a misty veil over the waters, Japan itself; and little by little, out of the dense shadow, arose the sharp, opaque outlines of the Nagasaki mountains.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LAND At dawn we beheld Japan.

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

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

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

From this reading Precisely at the foretold moment the mysterious land arose before us, afar off, like a black dot in the vast sea, which for so many days had been but a blank space.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The wind was dead against us, and the strong breeze, which steadily increased, seemed as if the country were blowing with all its might, in a vain effort to drive us away from its shores.