Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

later than; following

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

plural of “belt” — endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

verbal punishment

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

plural of “claimant” — someone who claims a benefit or right or title

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

clothing in general

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

-ing form of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

a point asserted as part of an argument

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

plural of “dirk” — a relatively long dagger with a straight blade

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

take exception to

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

spread out or scattered about or divided up

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

past form of “divest” — take away possessions from someone

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

battleship that has big guns all of the same caliber

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

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

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

divisible by two

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

plural of “garment” — an article of clothing

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

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

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

plural of “jacket” — a short coat

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

set down according to a plan

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

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 This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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 In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

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

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

come into possession of

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

and nothing more

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

a rate that is rapid

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

being the most concentrated solution possible at a given temperature; unable to dissolve still more of a substance

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

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

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

a particular situation

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

marked or decorated with stripes

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

-ing form of “terminate” — bring to an end or halt

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

in or at that place or location

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading On the instant after being laid hold of, they had been stripped with as much rapidity as if their bodies were about to be submitted to some ignominious chastisement.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But they knew it was not that, only a desire on the part of their captors to obtain possession of their clothes, every article of which became the subject of a separate contention, and more than one leading to a dispute that was near terminating in a contest between two scimitars.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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 This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In this way their jackets and dreadnought trousers, their caps and shoes, their dirks, belts, and pocket paraphernalia, were distributed among nearly as many claimants as there were pieces.

(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 This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

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

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

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

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading It was a wonder that even these scanty garments were not taken from them; considering the eagerness with which they had been divested of everything else.

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

From this reading This was the only article of clothing their captors had left upon their backs; and so far as comfort was concerned, they would have been as well without it: for there was not a thread of the striped cotton that was not saturated with sea water.