Chapter IV

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

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

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

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

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

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

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

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

-ing form of “conserve” — keep constant through physical or chemical reactions or evolutionary change

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

flow back or recede

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

being one more than seven

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

an acute insufficiency

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

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

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

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

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

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

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

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

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

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

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

for more time

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

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

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

not one, and not any

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

owed as a debt

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

plural of “ravage” — (usually plural) a destructive action

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

free from harm or evil

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading He was badly shaken, however, and his nerves were on the edge of collapse.

have in common

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

in the near future

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

plural of “survivor” — one who lives through affliction

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

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

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

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

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

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

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

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

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading His efforts to help his companions had held him tense during those unending hours of darkness and famine, and his optimism had kept him from the ravages of despair.

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

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

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

From this reading EIGHT DAYS OF DARK The three comrades were saved, indeed, but it was none too soon.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Eight days below ground without food or light and without any sure hope of rescue, had brought them to a low ebb.

inflected form of “withstand” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading Clem, owing to his longer experience in the mine and his more prudent conserving of the scanty supply of food that fell to his share, had withstood the strain better than the two other survivors.