Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

later than; following

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

any thing at all

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

from appearances alone

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

for the reason that

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

a youthful male person

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

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

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

a final climactic stage

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

the boundary of a surface

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

divisible by two

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

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

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

in an incoherent manner

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

roused to anger

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

not any; not one

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

with speed

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

to say, state, or perform again

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

a small and inadequate amount

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

cause fear in

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

a coming to an end of a contract period

From this reading He had apparently reached the culmination and termination of his fright.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

in or at that place or location

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

a special situation

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading Maka's tale, which he told so rapidly and incoherently that he was frequently obliged to repeat portions of it, was to the following effect: He had thought a great deal about the scarcity of water, and it had troubled him so that he could not sleep.

fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading THE RACKBIRDS The new African was sitting on the ground, as far back from the edge of the ledge as he could get, shivering and shaking, for the water was cold.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

a Caucasian

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

which person or people

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading After his tumble into the water, which had happened because he had been unable to stop in his mad flight, he had not nerve enough left to do anything more, no matter what should appear to scare him, and there was really no reason why he should be afraid of this big white man, who did not even look at him or give him a thought.

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

From this reading What a dreadful thing it would be for those poor ladies and the captain and the boy to die because they had no water!