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 SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

later than; following

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

someone who drives or rides in a boat

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading There, efficiency had to be carried to the highest degree.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading There, efficiency had to be carried to the highest degree.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

the ratio of the output to the input of any system

From this reading There, efficiency had to be carried to the highest degree.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

set up or found

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

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

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

that which is pleasing or valuable or useful

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There, efficiency had to be carried to the highest degree.

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

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

someone in charge of other people

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

immediately past

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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 SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

someone who rows a boat

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

protected from danger or bad weather

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There, efficiency had to be carried to the highest degree.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading His post chanced to be in a somewhat sheltered spot, and thus gave him an opportunity to become a good oarsman.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

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

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

precisely as stated

From this reading The government service, however, he found to be a very different matter.

tell voluntarily

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

at the time that

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.

the words that are spoken

From this reading SAVED BY THE BREECHES-BUOY The last words of the old keeper, "Goodness don't lay in tryin' to be a hero, but jest in plain bein' a man," rang through Eric's mind, many and many a day after, when, on his own Coast Guard station, he had to face some difficulty.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading His work with the volunteer corps had made him a first-class swimmer and a fair boatman.