Chapter VIII

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

the state of being allied or confederated

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

any thing at all

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

past form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

(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 A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

a native or inhabitant of Cyprus

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

a female human offspring

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

(astronomy) the reappearance of a celestial body after an eclipse

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

one or the other of two

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

pass by

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

third-person singular of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

giving courage or confidence or hope

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

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

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

plural of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

inflected form of “fulfil” — put in effect

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

an opening into or through something

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

go away from a place

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

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

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

obsolete terms for legal insanity

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

kept in good condition

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

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

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

have and control fully and exclusively

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

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

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

by chance

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

thrust or throw into

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

practice as a profession, teach, or claim to be knowledgeable about

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

place restrictions on

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

a strong line

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

express in words

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

plural of “sensation” — an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

carry out

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

plural of “talker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

plural of “thinker” — an important intellectual

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

not known

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

the quality of being of practical use

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

precisely as stated

From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

filled with water

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.

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

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

belonging to which person

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.

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

From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.