Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

(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 But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

Having no one else present.

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

serving or used in place of another

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

comparative of “base” — serving as or forming a base

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

take exception to

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

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

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

the process of giving careful thought to something

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

determine the number or amount of

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

past form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

be shiny, as if wet

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

the quality of shining with a bright reflected light

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

the act of departing

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

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

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

be amazed at

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

the force of workers available

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

poorly conceived or thought out

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

doubt or uncertainty as to whether something is the case

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

sharply exact or accurate or delimited

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

more desirable than another

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the work of a sailor

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

a large beer glass

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

not often

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

in a serious manner

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

express in speech

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But I did give Tom his choice of staying or going--a choice made possible that day by a schooner sailing close in shore and easy to signal.

not in physical motion

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

a special situation

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

male cat

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

having come into contact

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

which person or people

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Perhaps but for that, remembering the count of so many dead men--men who had lost their lives in the prosecution of my probably vain desire--I would have given the whole thing up, and sailed the boat back to less-haunted regions, which Tom and I might easily have done, and as Tom, I could plainly see, would himself have preferred.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

belonging to which person

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

the words that are spoken

From this reading But we, alas!--or let me speak for myself--were sinful, misguided men, to whom the gleam and glitter of God's making spoke all too seldom, and whose hearts were given to the baser shining of such treasure as that of which I for one still dreamed--with an obstinacy all the more hardened by the opposition we had encountered, and by the menace of danger the enterprise now held beyond peradventure--a menace, indeed, to which Tobias's words had given the form of a precise challenge.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading But Tobias's challenge made such a course impossible for any man worthy of the name, and I never gave the alternative a moment's consideration.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.

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

From this reading _In Which Tom and I Seriously Start in Treasure Hunting._ Tom and Sailor and I were now, to the best of our belief, alone on the island, and a lonesomer spot it would be hard to imagine, or one touched at certain hours with a fairer beauty--a beauty wraith-like and, like a sea-shell, haunted with the marvel of the sea.