Chapter V

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

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

later than; following

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

anew

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

(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 CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

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

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

from appearances alone

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

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

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

the lower side of anything

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

rid of obstructions

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

lacking definite form or limits

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

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

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

characterized by great determination

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

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

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

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

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

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

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

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

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

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

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

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

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

a particular point in time

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

on one occasion

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

plural of “rope” — a strong line

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

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

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

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

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

not in physical motion

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

inflected form of “swim” — travel through water

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

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

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

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

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

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

From this reading He swam to her in a few strokes and, after one or two efforts, managed to clamber up her slippery hull.

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

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

a vivid mental image

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

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

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

look attentively

From this reading CAPTAIN SAULSBY’S WATCH For full half a minute Billy was quite certain that he was drowned and did not like it at all.

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 For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The wet ropes and the heavy canvas clung to him, apparently determined that once he went down he should never come up again.

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

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.

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

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading For a gasping moment he managed to get his head above water, had a sharp, clear vision of the wide sea, the cloudy sky and Appledore Island with its green slopes and wooded hills: then he went down again.

the remaining parts of something that has been wrecked

From this reading His next attempt was more fortunate, however, for he came up clear of the wreckage and not far from the boat, which was still afloat, bottom upwards.