Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

surprising greatly

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

terminate

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

tending to bring about; being partly responsible for

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

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

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

-ing form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

the person who steers a ship

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

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

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

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

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

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

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

range of what one can know or understand

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

someone who causes the death of a person or animal

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

the officer below the master on a commercial ship

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

the force of workers available

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

not in physical motion

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

not one, and not any

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

occurring from time to time

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

seen in the mind as a mental image

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

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

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

plural of “rope” — a strong line

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

plural of “school” — an educational institution

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

plural of “shaft” — a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

a rester who is sleeping

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

in a sleepy manner

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

resembling a serpent in form

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

plural of “snore” — the rattling noise produced when snoring

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

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

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

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

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

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

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

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

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

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

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

beneath the surface of the water

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

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

From this reading None of this was conducive to wakefulness; nor did the half-speed drone of the electric engines aft and the snores of some distant sleeper help him.

look attentively

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

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

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

plural of “whale” — a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

From this reading [Sidenote: Killer whales and seal-creatures tangle Ken Torrance in an amazing adventure under the ice-roofed arctic sea.]

belonging to which person

From this reading The four other men on duty in the submarine--the helmsman; the second mate, whose watch it was; the quartermaster and the second engineer--might not have been present, so motionless and silent were they.

a specific feeling of desire

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

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

From this reading Sleepily the lookout stared at the scope-screen before him, wishing for something that would break the monotony of the scene it pictured: the schools of ghostly fish fleeting by, the occasional shafts of pale sunlight filtering down through breaks in the ice-floes above, the long snaky ropes of underwater growth.

utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

From this reading The lookout man stifled another yawn and glanced at a clock to see how much more time remained of his trick.