used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
abatedverbUS /əˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “abate” — make less active or intense
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
terminate
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
one or the other of two
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
immediately past
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
go away from a place
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
engage in
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
not any; not one
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
RAFTSnounUS /ræfts/
a large number or amount
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
cut with a saw
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
shapelessadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpləs/
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
confined on all sides
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
hard to endure
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
precisely as stated
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
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 When it was quite morning, and the sky cleared a little, we saw the skiff, with the Captain on board, beating about on the water and trying to make for us.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
at the time that
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading RAFTS When the day did break at last it brought no great degree of comfort with it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Still the wind had abated somewhat, but the swell was very strong, and we were without any means of attempting to leave the vessel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But in this he was not able to succeed, for the waves were running so high that it would have been quite impossible either to bring the skiff alongside or to get on board our vessel if he had done so.
yeastyadjective
of or resembling or containing yeast
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading We were surrounded by a yellow, yeasty sea, and the air was so thick that the islands on which our lives depended seemed but shapeless shadows in the distance.
