Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

react verbally

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

any thing at all

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

(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 You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

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

From this reading But I suppose it don't matter for a few weeks.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

come together

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

encouraging or approving or pleasing

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading But I suppose it don't matter for a few weeks.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But I suppose it don't matter for a few weeks.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

the act of departing

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

come to pass

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

not in action or at work

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

immediately past

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading But I suppose it don't matter for a few weeks.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

by chance

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

the work of a sailor

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

term of address for a man

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

express a supposition

From this reading But I suppose it don't matter for a few weeks.

express in words

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

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

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

up to a particular time

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

precisely as stated

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading But I suppose it don't matter for a few weeks.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

at the time that

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading "That's true," said Sir Humphrey; "and it is very pleasant sailing up between these wonderful banks of trees."

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading You don't want to do any boat work till you get better."

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, very pleasant, sir; but it makes my crew so idle that I'm afraid they won't understand the meaning of the word work, much less be able to spell it when I want it done."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.

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

From this reading "If you'll tell me how long these favourable winds will last, sir: how long we shall be without a storm in the mountains: and how long it will be before we encounter rocks and falls, perhaps I can answer you; but this is all as new to me as it is to you, and I cannot tell you anything about what's going to happen to-morrow.