Chapter XI · A Vigil

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

a small outdoor fire for warmth or cooking (as at a camp)

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

United States songwriter (1899-1981)

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

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

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

deeply involved especially in something complicated

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Parachutes very often failed one.

moving swiftly

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

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

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

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

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

in a yearning manner

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

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

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Parachutes very often failed one.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Parachutes very often failed one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

plural of “parachute” — rescue equipment consisting of a device that fills with air and retards your fall

From this reading Parachutes very often failed one.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

to a pitiful degree

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

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

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

plural of “strip” — a relatively long narrow piece of something

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

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

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Too, Carmichael might not be any better off than they.

of the highest quality

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

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

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

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

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

precisely as stated

From this reading Parachutes very often failed one.

at the time that

From this reading Their campfire, though piled so high, seemed pitifully inadequate for such a purpose, and he experienced a sinking sensation in his stomach when he thought how much less it could be seen in the daylight.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The black vault of heaven with its twinkling stars could be seen in narrow strips through the entangled tops of closely growing trees.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Hal looked up at it longingly from time to time and wondered if a searching party did come flying overhead, whether or not they would be able to penetrate the dense screen and see them.