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 At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

take exception to

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

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

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

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

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

at any time

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

comparative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

having lost your job

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

set up or found

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

understanding with difficulty

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

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

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

inflected form of “level” — aim at

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

the force of workers available

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

in motion

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

no person; not anyone

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors

From this reading On returning to the house they found the girl's room empty, and next morning her slipper was brought in from the mud at the landing.

carry out

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

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

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

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

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

in the direction of

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

two items of the same kind

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

up to a particular time

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

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

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Nobody inside of the American lines ever learned what that shot had done, but if it failed to take a life it robbed Cortelyou of his mind.

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

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At her eager signal he ran forward with a light ladder, planted it against the window-sill, and in less than a minute the twain were running toward the beach; but the creak of the ladder had been heard, and grasping their muskets two of the men hurried out.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading In the track of the moon the pursuers descried a moving form, and, without waiting to challenge, they levelled the guns and fired.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A woman's cry followed the report; then a dip of oars was heard that fast grew fainter until it faded from hearing.