used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
acquiringnounUS /əˈkwaɪrɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading First there was the problem of acquiring the wood.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
put or send forth
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
considerationsnounUS /kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “consideration” — the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
currentsnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
recognizable; marked
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
deltanounUS /ˈdeltə/
a low triangular area of alluvial deposits where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
without deviation
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
one or the other of two
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First there was the problem of acquiring the wood.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
havennounUS /ˈheɪvən/
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
Kalus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
not any; not one
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
and nothing more
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading First there was the problem of acquiring the wood.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
rock-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
spilledverbUS /spɪld/
past form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
in or at that place or location
From this reading First there was the problem of acquiring the wood.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had been decided that they should build a boat.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
transportingverbUS /trænˈspɔːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “transport” — move something or somebody around; usually over long distances
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
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 There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two considerations made Kalus choose the latter course.
upstreamadjectiveUS /ˈʌpˈstriːm/
in the direction against a stream's current
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading First there was the problem of acquiring the wood.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The only questions left to them were what kind of vessel it should be, and whether to cast off directly from the cove, or to build the craft some distance upstream along the banks of the Broad River, and follow its currents through the delta which then spilled to either side of the Island.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading There were no trees of substance within a mile of their rock-bound haven, and no way of transporting the farther wood here.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading First there was the problem of acquiring the wood.
