Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

(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 All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

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

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

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

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

close fighting during the culmination of a military attack

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

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

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

the two together, not just one

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

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

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

an occurrence of something

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

a state at a particular time

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

-ing form of “dread” — be afraid or scared of; be frightened of

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

the organ of sight

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

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

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

start firing a weapon

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

shining unsteadily

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

provide with a combustible substance that provides energy

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading THE GUESTS OF HEAVEN.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

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

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading THE GUESTS OF HEAVEN.

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

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

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

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

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

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

the state of being alone in solitary isolation

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GUESTS OF HEAVEN.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

on one occasion

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

showing scarcely suppressed anger

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

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

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

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

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

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

From this reading THE GUESTS OF HEAVEN.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

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

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

dangerously unstable and unpredictable

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

(used of persons or the military) not having or using arms

From this reading He realized at once from his own previous experience the full loneliness and terror of their unarmed condition.

not known

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

in a vivid manner

From this reading He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

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 From time to time he kept adding dry fuel to his smouldering pile; and he never ceased to keep a keen eye both on the lagoon and the reef, in case an assault should be made upon them suddenly by land or water.

(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 He knew the South Seas quite well enough already to have all the possibilities of misfortune floating vividly before his eyes.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading All that night through--their first lonely night on the island of Boupari--Felix sat up by his flickering fire, wide awake, half expecting and dreading some treacherous attack of the unknown savages.