Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

from appearances alone

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

move towards

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

expected hopefully

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

fearless and daring

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

relating to or resembling a cone

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

a conference (usually with someone important)

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

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

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

the native habitat or home of an animal or plant

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

situated away from an area's coast or border

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

immediately past

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

(of soil) soft and watery

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

the force of workers available

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

not any; not one

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

in other respects or ways

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

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

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

able to see

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

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

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

near that time or date

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

plural of “tract” — an extended area of land

From this reading Along the shore and for some distance beyond it there were open spaces that might have been great tracts of cleared land; and a report prevailed among the men that a fishing boat had been sighted far off, which seemed to put back incontinently to the shore.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Captain Falk and Kipping were deep in consultation, and the rest were intent upon the sad duty that awaited us.

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

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

(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 Otherwise there was no sign of human habitation, but we knew the character of the natives of such islands thereabouts too well to approach land with any sense of security.

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

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.

at the time that

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

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

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD In the last few hours we had sighted an island, which lay now off the starboard bow; and as I had had no opportunity hitherto to observe it closely, I regarded it with much interest when I came on deck.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading Inland there were several cone-shaped mountains thickly wooded about the base; to the south the shore was low and apparently marshy; to the north a bold and rugged promontory extended.