Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

later than; following

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

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

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

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

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

cause to be bored

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

a slight indication

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

a state at a particular time

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

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

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

set up or found

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

temporary military shelter

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

something that is lost

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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 But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

feel sadness

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

not one, and not any

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

resist doing something

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

plural of “remnant” — a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists

From this reading We found, however, the decayed remnants of what appeared to have been clothing, and an old axe.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

except for; apart from

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

only a very short time before

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

a small fragment of something broken off from the whole

From this reading But we found nothing--neither a book nor a scrap of paper.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

a state of social isolation

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

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

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

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

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

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

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

precisely as stated

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

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

From this reading Now we were very much concerned about this discovery, and could scarce refrain from tears on beholding these sad remains.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

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

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.

which person or people

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

in the company of; together with

From this reading After some time we began to talk about what we had seen, and to examine in and around the hut, in order to discover some clue to the name or history of this poor man, who had thus died in solitude, with none to mourn his loss save his cat and his faithful dog.

a late time of life

From this reading But none of these things bore marks of any kind, and indeed they were so much decayed as to convince us that they had lain in the condition in which we found them for many years.