Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

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

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

relating to or consisting of or being in water

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

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

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

the two together, not just one

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

(New Testament) one of the three sages from the east who came bearing gifts for the infant Jesus

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

carefully weighed

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

past form of “contradict” — be in contradiction with

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

divisible by two

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

the state or fact of existing

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

a social unit living together

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

a notable achievement

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

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

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

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

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

having long legs

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

of an obscure nature

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

not any; not one

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

and nothing more

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

by chance

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

rails; crakes; gallinules; coots

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

having a slim body

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

(sometimes followed by “to”) applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

be standing; be upright

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

not in physical motion

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

to a sufficient degree

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

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

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_!

believed likely

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

a special situation

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

not to be accounted for or explained

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

close enough to be walked to

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the 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 There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

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

From this reading They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_!

belonging to which person

From this reading He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.