Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

anew

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

Having no one else present.

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

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

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

support and strengthen

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

terminate

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a state at a particular time

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

let fall to the ground

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

opinion or judgment

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

physically weak

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a quick look

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

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

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

immediately past

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

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 The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

extremely annoying or displeasing

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

and nothing more

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

in a monotonous manner

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

not any; not one

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

an event that happens

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

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

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

only a very short time before

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

graded markings that indicate light or shaded areas in a drawing or painting

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

be seated

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

look at with fixed eyes

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

plural of “surge” — a sudden forceful flow

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

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

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

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

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

in the direction of

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

marked by no noteworthy or significant events

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.

having passed out of existence

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

an indication that something has been present

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

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

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

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 raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the dreariness or bring a ray of hope.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

at the time that

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

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

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

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

From this reading It was maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, which alone kept them afloat.

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the horizon, and finally disappeared into the north.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The raft rode so low in the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but sat there silent, with clasped hands.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The bitterness of disappointment wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts.