Chapter IV

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably

From this reading Night overtook them and they anchored their canoes in midstream.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

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

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

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

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

reveal unintentionally

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

a youthful male person

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

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

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

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

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

the act of departing

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

the middle of a stream

From this reading Night overtook them and they anchored their canoes in midstream.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

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

From this reading Night overtook them and they anchored their canoes in midstream.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading Night overtook them and they anchored their canoes in midstream.

past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

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

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Night overtook them and they anchored their canoes in midstream.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

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

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

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

From this reading Having eaten a hurried supper beside a camp-fire on the bank, they paddled on down the darkening river so that the fire might not betray them to Indian enemies.

someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Leaving one man on guard, the rest of the party made themselves as comfortable as possible in the narrow boats and tried to get some sleep.

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

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sentinel sat silent in his canoe, but with every sense alert.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading DOWN THE GREAT RIVER A black-robed priest, a young fur trader, five Frenchmen, and a young Indian boy sat in two birch-bark canoes on the broad current of the Mississippi River one summer evening.