Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

in the past

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

(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 Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

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

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

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

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

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

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

plural of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

plural of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

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

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

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

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

having inhabitants; lived in

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

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 Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

no person; not anyone

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

on one occasion

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

the largest ocean in the world

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

plural of “reef” — a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

To recall to mind.

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

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

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

transport commercially

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

make square

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

required or under orders

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

confined on all sides

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was called the Island of Despair, though nobody seemed to know how it got its name, and was supposed to be haunted.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

precisely as stated

From this reading The little island in the middle was not inhabited, but was surrounded by very dangerous reefs.

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

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

at the time that

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

in or at the place that

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.

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

From this reading Four of them were set in a kind of square, but the fifth, which was much smaller than any of the others, stood in the center of the group so that it was nearer to each island than they were to each other, for they were all so many miles apart that they could not see each other's shores.

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

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

destroyed in an accident

From this reading It had not always been there, and that was another reason why it was looked upon as an uncanny place, for all the grandmothers and grandfathers could remember when there had been nothing but the great sea between the four islands, and then suddenly one morning a ship had come upon the small island and nearly wrecked itself on the great rocks about it.

a late time of life

From this reading Once upon a time many years ago there lay five islands in the South Pacific ocean where the weather was always fine.