Chapter XXV

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

a member of the people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands and southwestern Alaska

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

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

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

from appearances alone

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

in a state of sleep

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

greatly desired

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

plural of “dive” — a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

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

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

a quick look

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

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

From this reading He has caught a glimpse of one of the coveted animals apparently asleep.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

ten 10s

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

the act of departing

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

kept in good condition

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

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

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

a particular point in time

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

in motion

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

not any; not one

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

and nothing more

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

plural of “paddle” — small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

the act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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 Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Suddenly one man makes a silent signal that is flashed in an instant along the entire line.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

an individual instance of a type of symbol

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

precisely as stated

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.

look attentively

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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 HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

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

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

during the time that

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

-ing form of “wield” — have and exercise

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

in the company of; together with

From this reading HUNTING THE SEA-OTTER Although the long line of bidarkies of which Phil Ryder and his Aleut companion had started in pursuit were apparently moving very slowly, as seen from a distance of two miles, they were in reality skimming the water with swiftness and in perfect silence.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Their occupants, while wielding their double-bladed paddles without a splash, and keeping the canoes well abreast of each other at intervals of a few hundred feet, maintained a keen watch for the slightest token of a sea-otter’s presence.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Although no word is spoken, and no sound comes from end to end of the little fleet, the sharp-witted animal takes the alarm almost at the moment of discovery, and dives like a shot to the very bottom of the sea, leaving only a bubbling wake to mark his descent.