Chapter XII · Chapter 12

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading His course lay across the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

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

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

eagerly desirous

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

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

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

a nation occupying the whole of the Australian continent; Aboriginal tribes are thought to have migrated from southeastern Asia 20,000 years ago; first Europeans were British convicts sent there as a penal colony

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

a wide shallow inlet of the Arafura Sea in northern Australia

From this reading His course lay across the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading His course lay across the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

characterized by great determination

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

past form of “dispatch” — send away towards a designated goal

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay

From this reading His course lay across the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

a small shallow-draft boat carrying mounted guns; used by costal patrols

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading His course lay across the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

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

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading His course lay across the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

go away from a place

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

the act of departing

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

engage in

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

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

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

to, toward, or in the northwest

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

being perceived or observed

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

come into possession of

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

inflected form of “overstep” — pass beyond (limits or boundaries)

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

the largest ocean in the world

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

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

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

in a philosophic manner

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

fill something that had previously been emptied

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

living in a particular place

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

having or growing on or from a peduncle or stalk

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

successive (without a break)

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

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

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

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

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

precisely as stated

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

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

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

in or at the place that

From this reading He was very anxious not to miss Port Moresby, the principal harbour in British New Guinea, for he hoped, in spite of what the Resident at Palmerston had said, to be able to replenish his stock of petrol there, knowing very well that among the smaller islands of the South Pacific the places where petrol was kept must be very few.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading STALKED BY PIGMIES Smith had noticed before leaving Palmerston that the wind had risen and was blowing steadily from the north-west.

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

From this reading If it turned out to be impossible to obtain petrol, he would have to resign himself to the inevitable, return to Australia on the gunboat that had been dispatched to relieve the castaways, and endure as philosophically as he might the consequences of overstepping his leave.

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

From this reading He determined, however, if he should fail to make Port Moresby, to steer straight for Ysabel Island.