Chapter XV · The True Story of a Famous Sea Serpent

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

in the past

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

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

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

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

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

a youthful male person

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

a small house with a single story

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called “elk” in Europe and “moose” in North America

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

plural of “encounter” — a minor short-term fight

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

brought together in one place

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

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

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

having inhabitants; lived in

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

a small island

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

plural of “mariner” — a man who serves as a sailor

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

the force of workers available

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

abnormally large

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

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

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

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

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

above and across; more than

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

plural of “pygmy” — an unusually small individual

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

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

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

located far away spatially

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

several time

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

plural of “reptile” — any cold-blooded vertebrate of the class Reptilia including tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and extinct forms

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

express in words

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

plural of “shoal” — a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

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

From this reading Nor am I prepared to say that some of the accounts were not founded on fact.

plural of “story” — 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 You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

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

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

the quality of being truthful

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading In the remote past the land and sea were inhabited by creatures of such vast size that our largest quadrupeds are pygmies in comparison.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The reputation of many of these men for truthfulness, and the fact that more than one of them insisted that their eyes had not deceived them, led a good many to believe what they told.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

which person or people

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

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

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

in the company of; together with

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.

a late time of life

From this reading “It is over thirty years ago,” said Uncle Elk that evening to the listening Boy Scouts who were gathered in the bungalow, “that the whole country was thrown into excitement by accounts of a stupendous sea serpent which was repeatedly seen off the Isle of Shoals.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You know that returning mariners have brought home stories of encounters in distant seas with similar monstrous reptiles.