Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

at another time

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

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

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

travel up

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

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

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

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

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

at any time

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

start firing a weapon

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

the basis on which something is grounded

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

many times at short intervals

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

brought together in one place

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

in a greedy manner

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

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

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

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

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

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

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

a small island

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

immediately past

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

having been got the better of

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

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

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

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

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

on one occasion

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

a fundamental principle or practice

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

let for money

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

uttered with a trill

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

in the near future

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

be about

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

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

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Soon a thick smoke began to ascend, for much of the timber in the pile was green, and before the sun had set a dense black cloud was rising straight up like a pillar and spreading out into the sky.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

up to a particular time

From this reading They shot through it more and more frequently, licked and twined round it--in and out--until they gained the mastery at last, and rose with a magnificent roar into the heavens.

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

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

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

From this reading The whole party rose and went to the pile of timber, which was on the highest part of the islet and towered to a height of nearly twelve feet.

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the fire gathered strength, a great tongue of flame flashed up ever and anon into the midst of the rolling cloud and rent it for a single instant; by degrees those tongues waged fierce war with the smoke.

wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction

From this reading Captain Dall applied a match to the tarry pieces of the long-boat, which had been placed at the foundation, and the flames at once leaped up and began to lick greedily round the timber, winding through the interstices and withering up the leaves.