Chapter XI

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

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

lighted up by or as by fire or flame

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

anew

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

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

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

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

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

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

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

the residue that remains when something is burned

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “I hear nothing but the rain,” said Regnan.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

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

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

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

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

detect with the senses

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

fall in drops

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

to say again or imitate

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

lacking solidity or strength

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

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

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

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

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I hear nothing but the rain,” said Regnan.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

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

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

held up in the air

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

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

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

not in physical motion

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “I hear nothing but the rain,” said Regnan.

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

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

and nothing more

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

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

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

recurring with measured regularity

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I hear nothing but the rain,” said Regnan.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

be standing; be upright

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

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

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

a special situation

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

pulsate or pound with abnormal force

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

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

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

a shaky motion

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading Try as he might, Regnan could not hear it.

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

From this reading It was a strange thing to Desmond.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Summoned to the door, he stood and looked out, and bent his attention to discern only the rhythmic throb of the rain, only the waves splashing across the deck, only the slow drip of the water through a leak in the flimsy roof.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He looked curiously at his companion as Desmond, every fibre alert, his eyes afire with excitement, his lifted hand trembling, and the cigar between his fingers dead in its ash, would exclaim “Now!” and stand motionless again, listening acutely as if to an echo.