Chapter VII · The Swamp Gives Up a Clue

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

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

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

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

any thing at all

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

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

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

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

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

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

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

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

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

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

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

someone who is a detective

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

let fall to the ground

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

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

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

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

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

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

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

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

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

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

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

having a nose (either literal or metaphoric) especially of a specified kind

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

a brief written record

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

moving to a position on a surface

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

operate an airplane

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

-ing form of “scribble” — write down quickly without much attention to detail

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “But we can’t set down or do anything—and we can’t see much for the fog,” objected Dick.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

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

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”

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

From this reading Larry agreed with this sensible suggestion and Dick, scribbling a note, passed it to Sandy.

place limits on (extent or amount or access)

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

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

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

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

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “We can try to drop down into the fog,” called Larry to Dick as their pilot, with closed throttle, nosed down to get closer to the scene of the tragedy.

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

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Two courses were offered to the Sky Patrol with Jeff.

an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading “I think we ought to go back and drop a note onto the yacht, telling the people to come here in a boat.”