Chapter IX

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

later than; following

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading THE WHITE-HEAD EAGLE.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

to an extreme degree

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

past form of “forewarn” — warn in advance or beforehand; give an early warning

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

set up or found

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

past form of “hinder” — be a hindrance or obstacle to

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

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

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

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

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

engage in

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

above and across; more than

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

the act of fixing firmly in place

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

plural of “sawyer” — one who is employed to saw wood

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

-ing form of “scramble” — to move hurriedly

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

plural of “snag” — a sharp protuberance

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading THE WHITE-HEAD EAGLE.

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

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Scrambling along the trunk, I at length succeeded in planting my foot upon _terra firma_.

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

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We started a little after daylight; and as my skiffman had forewarned me, found the current exceedingly sharp, and not a little dangerous--especially as we approached the island.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

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

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.

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

From this reading THE WHITE-HEAD EAGLE.

belonging to which person

From this reading The tree was a gigantic cottonwood, whose weight had hindered the current from carrying it off.

in the company of; together with

From this reading What with snags, whirls and "sawyers," we had some difficulty in making land, and might not have succeeded, but for a large tree that had fallen over the bank and formed a sort of pier to which we were able to make fast the skiff.