Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

moving forward

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

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

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

for the reason that

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

in bodily form

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

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

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

lacking conviction or boldness or courage

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

promote over another

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

(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 Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

ten 10s

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

engage in

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

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

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

being ten more than eighty

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

not any; not one

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

and nothing more

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

showing reason or sound judgment

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

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

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

a special situation

From this reading The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.

a physiological need to drink

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

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

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

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

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

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

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading So great was the fear in my mind because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed as nothing.

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

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

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

From this reading Between the Lines As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst and the hunger which had assailed me.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger, and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be covered as with a black veil.

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

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.