Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

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

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)

From this reading "Why not?" asked Arthur sharply.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Why not?" asked Arthur sharply.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

in a beautiful manner

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

a solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

becoming infected

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

past form of “douse” — put out, as of a candle or a light

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

-ing form of “expand” — extend in one or more directions

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

plural of “gill” — a British imperial capacity unit (liquid or dry) equal to 5 fluid ounces or 142.066 cubic centimeters

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

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

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

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

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

having or covered with leaves

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

plural of “mesh” — the number of openings per linear inch of a screen; measures size of particles

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

common name for an edible agaric (contrasting with the inedible toadstool)

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

not any; not one

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading "Why not?" asked Arthur sharply.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

in the near future

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

comparatives of “soon” or “early”

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

walk stiffly

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

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

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

travel through water

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

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

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

plural of “transparency” — permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

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 No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

in or at the place that

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

belonging to which person

From this reading In size it was as big as a skittle-ball or a flat Dutch cheese, though a better idea of its shape may be obtained by comparing it to a half-opened mushroom whose stalk had been removed, and where beautifully cut leafy transparencies took the place of the mushroom gills.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why not?" asked Arthur sharply.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Better not touch it," said Will, as Dick was about to place his hand beneath the curious object.

in the company of; together with

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Dick doused the jelly-fish down into the sun-lit waters, and then they could see its wonderful nature.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading No sooner was it in the water than it began to swim, by expanding, and contracting itself with such facility that, but for the meshes of the net, it would soon have taken its wondrous hanging fringes and delicate soap-bubble hues out of sight.