Chapter IX

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

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

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

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TREASURE ISLAND AT LAST.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

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

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

(used of hooves) split, divided

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

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

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

informal intensifiers

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

plural of “earthquake” — shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

being one more than seven

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

exceedingly; extremely

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

provoking horror

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

in a gradual manner

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

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

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

capable of being reached only with great difficulty or not at all

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

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

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading TREASURE ISLAND AT LAST.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

immediately past

From this reading TREASURE ISLAND AT LAST.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

darkened by clouds

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

past form of “near” — move towards

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

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

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

a straight line at right angles to another line

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

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

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

plural of “ravine” — a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

move upward

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

able to see

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

in a steep manner

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

waves breaking on the shore

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

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

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading As we neared it, the features of this extraordinary place could gradually be distinguished.

in a menacing manner

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

in the direction of

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading TREASURE ISLAND AT LAST.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

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

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We sailed on towards the desert island under all canvas, but did not reach it for eight hours from the time we first sighted it.

in or at the place that

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.

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

From this reading The north side, that which faced us, is the most barren and desolate portion of the island, and appears to be utterly inaccessible.

gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something

From this reading Here the mountains rise sheer from the boiling surf--fantastically shaped of volcanic rock; cloven by frightful ravines; lowering in perpendicular precipices; in places over-hanging threateningly, and, where the mountains have been shaken to pieces by the fires and earthquakes of volcanic action, huge landslips slope steeply into the yawning ravines--landslips of black and red volcanic _debris_, and loose rocks large as houses, ready on the slightest disturbance to roll down, crashing, into the abysses below.