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 sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

forsake, leave behind

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading "Bill, is it you?" cried all three in a breath.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading "Bill, is it you?" cried all three in a breath.

the lower side of anything

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading "Bill, is it you?" cried all three in a breath.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "Bill, is it you?" cried all three in a breath.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

divisible by two

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

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

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

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

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

doubt about the truth of something

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

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

From this reading "Bill, is it you?" cried all three in a breath.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

in the recent past

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

become covered with mist

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

a particular point in time

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

with speed

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

possessive form of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

only a very short time before

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

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

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

filled with shade

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

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

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

not in physical motion

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

of considerable importance, size, or worth

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

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

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

up to a particular time

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

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

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

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

From this reading The joy caused by this greeting, great as it was, was scarce equal to the surprise it inspired.

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 sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

widely or fully known

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

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

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

during the time that

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

which person or people

From this reading They who heard it were for some seconds incredulous.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Their incredulity even continued till more positive evidence to the contrary came before them, in the shape of the old man-o'-war's-man himself; who, rapidly splashing through the more shallow water, in a few seconds stood face to face with the three brave boys whom he had so lately urged to abandon him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sound of the sailor's voice, well-known as it was, with something like the figure of a human being dimly seen through the uncertain mist that shadowed the surface of the water, was proof that he still lived; while, but the moment before, there appeared substantial proof that he must have gone to the bottom.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Bill, is it you?" cried all three in a breath.