Chapter IX · Tied Up

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

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

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

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

a formal public statement

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

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

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

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

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

-ing form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

towards the shore from the water

From this reading “Run ashore?” echoed Jack.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

relating to or based on or involving comparison

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

plural of “control” — power to direct or determine

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

(Greek mythology) daughter of Zeus and Demeter; made queen of the underworld by Pluto in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Proserpina

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

possessive form of “cora” — (Greek mythology) daughter of Zeus and Demeter; made queen of the underworld by Pluto in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Proserpina

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading “Run ashore?” echoed Jack.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

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

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

of a light brown or yellowish brown color

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

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

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

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

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

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

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

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

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

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

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

a small worthless amount

From this reading “Run ashore?” echoed Jack.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

a storage compartment for clothes and valuables; usually it has a lock

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

anything happening rapidly or in quick successive

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

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

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading “Run ashore?” echoed Jack.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

express in words

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

express a supposition

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

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

From this reading Silence followed Cora’s startling announcement—that is comparative silence, for the rain, hissing into the river, and pelting on the deck and cabin roof, made quite a noise.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

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

From this reading “There aren’t any islands in this part of the river; are there?”

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

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

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

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

in or at the place that

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.

which person or people

From this reading “At least I suppose it’s the shore,” said Cora, who had stopped the engine, the controls being near the wheel.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “What’s that you say?” demanded Walter, arising from a stern locker where he had been talking more or less nonsense to Hazel.