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 But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

at or in the front

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

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

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

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

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

the two together, not just one

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

provoking fear terror

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

flow in a circular current, of liquids

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

divisible by two

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

with resolute determination

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

hold firmly

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

only a very short time before

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

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

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

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

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

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

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

immediately past

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

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 It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

a particular point in time

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

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

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

not any; not one

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

an implement used to propel or steer a boat

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

containing an unusual amount of grease or oil

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

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

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

move with force

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

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

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

Identical; not different.

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

the act of guiding or showing the way

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

the person who steers a ship

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

plural of “sweater” — a crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

moving very fast

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

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

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

up to a particular time

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

past form of “veer” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

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

From this reading THE SONG OF THE VOYAGEUR Hardly seeming to move, the deeply laden scows veered more and more into the current, until at last the swift flow of the river began to push them forward.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading It was a moment long waited for by Norman and Roy, and at the time no thought was given to any arrangements for comfort.

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

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading At the same moment Moosetooth dropped his own oar and almost instantly both boats straightened out before the onrushing waters.

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

From this reading But even before La Biche's boat, which was ahead and farthest from the shore, was fully in the grasp of a swirling eddy, the bronzed steersman, his pipe firmly set in his teeth, hurled his body on the steering oar and plunged the far end of it against the oily current.

during the time that

From this reading The boys threw themselves on the forward deck, their sweaters close about their throats against the chilling fog and the cool breeze, while Colonel Howell sat muffled in his overcoat on the edge of the deck.