Chapter XX · What Did It Mean?

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

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

later than; following

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

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

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

the lower side of anything

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

a small house with a single story

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

consisting of or containing or of the nature of crystals

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

the act of departing

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

the extent downward or backward or inward

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

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

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

young goose

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

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

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

conformity or harmony

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

in a nice way

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

propel with a paddle

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

abounding in small stones

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

unusual or striking

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

with no problems or difficulties

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

affording physical relief

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

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

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The husband, facing in the same direction, was in the stern of the craft, so that the balance was nicely adjusted.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

in the direction of

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

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

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

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 After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.

in or at the place that

From this reading After their departure from the bungalow, they glided smoothly in the canoe toward the eastern end of Gosling Lake, keeping a little way off shore where though the water was crystalline the depth was too great to allow them to see the pebbly bottom.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Meanwhile a singular experience befell Dr. Spellman and his wife.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The woman sat forward, gazing with tranquil enjoyment upon the soothing picture before them.

a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones

From this reading Swinging the paddle well forward, he took the water with a long easy stroke, finishing with an inward turn of the wrist that kept the canoe on a straight course.