Chapter III · The First Dip Under the Surface

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

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

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

inflected form of “crop” — cut short

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

plural of “decoy” — a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

-ing form of “dredge” — cover before cooking

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

at any time

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

the act of grasping

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

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

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

having a heading or course in a certain direction

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

of or relating to the sea

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

the force of workers available

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

not any; not one

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

in the near future

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading By degrees this feeling of depression passed away.

having intellectual depth

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Soon they were taking an interest in all that went on around them.

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

From this reading They were healthy boys, and as such could not long remain in the grip of the “blues.”

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

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Oyster boats with the men at work dredging or tonging; duck hunters in blinds, or lying, it might be, in sink-boxes on the shallows with their decoys all around them--things like these were constantly cropping up to be observed through the marine glasses which they had been thoughtful enough to provide themselves with before starting on the voyage.

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

From this reading It was all their own doings, too, and they were headed for an experience that certainly no other young fellows had ever been given before.