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 When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

stuck in a place where a ship can no longer float

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

(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 Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

any thing at all

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

take into custody

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading BILLY BRACKETT'S SURPRISING SITUATION.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

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

From this reading BILLY BRACKETT'S SURPRISING SITUATION.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

the act of constructing something

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

increase twofold

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

divisible by two

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

come to pass

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

of the present time and place

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

a search for knowledge

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

the force of workers available

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

in minute detail

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

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

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

a son of your brother or sister

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

occurring from time to time

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

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

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

an easy victory

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

plural of “shanty” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading BILLY BRACKETT'S SURPRISING SITUATION.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

move hurridly

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading BILLY BRACKETT'S SURPRISING SITUATION.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

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

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

a just detectable amount

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading Three shanties, and they of unusual construction, on a raft of that size formed a peculiarity sufficient to arrest the immediate attention of all river men.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

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

From this reading The appearance of the raft had been minutely described to him, and, according to this description, it was too distinctive in its character to be mistaken for anything else.

at the time that

From this reading When Billy Brackett set forth on his search for a nephew and a runaway raft he did not anticipate any difficulty in finding them.

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

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Thus the young engineer felt certain that by making an occasional inquiry and proceeding at a speed at least double that of the raft, he could easily trace and overtake it, even though it should not run aground, which he thought more than likely to happen early in its voyage.