used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
castawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
debatedverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
opinion or judgment
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
engage in
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
and nothing more
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
go across or through
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
free from harm or evil
From this reading THE RESCUE.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RESCUE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Was it the boys, or was it merely a strange craft beating up the coast?
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
a Caucasian
From this reading These were the questions they debated as they strained their eyes on the distant patch of white.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE castaways watched the distant sail with mingled feelings of joy and suspense.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would it pass near the island or would it go by too far out for them to make their presence known?
