Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

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

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

a very small distance or space

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

the act of traveling from one place to another

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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 For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

not one, and not any

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

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

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

on one occasion

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

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

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

to go back over again

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

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

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

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

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

lean and sinewy

From this reading They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.