Chapter XXXIX · Chapter 39

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

From this reading A MEETING OF MATES.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

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

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

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

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

(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 Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

get or gather together

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

make by combining materials and parts

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

gotten under control

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

in a diagonal manner

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

divisible by two

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

of great significance or value

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

a pair of people who live together

From this reading A MEETING OF MATES.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading A MEETING OF MATES.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

used to form the superlative

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MEETING OF MATES.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

get by special effort

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

cause to move forward with force

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

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

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

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

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

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

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

moving very fast

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

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

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

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

From this reading The first suggestion was that they construct a small and easily managed raft from a portion of the material contained in the _Venture_.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

in or at the place that

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With starvation staring our raftmates in the face, the problem of how they were to escape from their present predicament became a most important one.

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

From this reading Still, even to drift with the current, or at the best to work their way diagonally across it, with the hope of reaching some source of food supply, seemed better than to remain where they were, and accordingly they began to collect material for a raft.

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

From this reading They foresaw that it would be impossible for them to propel even this against the swift current and reach the river, where they might procure relief from some passing boat.