Chapter VIII

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

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

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

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

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

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

having well-proportioned limbs

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

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

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

large hard-shelled oval nut with a fibrous husk containing thick white meat surrounding a central cavity filled (when fresh) with fluid or milk

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

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

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

at any time

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

having long narrow shallow depressions (as grooves or wrinkles) in the surface

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

capable of being imagined

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

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

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

the process of flowing in

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

bordered by a line of things

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

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

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

the force of workers available

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

and nothing more

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

cut with a saw

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

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

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

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

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

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

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

work hard

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

male cat

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

characterized by variety

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

all the plant life in a particular region or period

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

precisely as stated

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

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

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

look attentively

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

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

From this reading Starting through a narrow inlet, taking advantage of the inflow of the tide, the canoes came into a lagoon; the water was shallow but clear; the banks were lined with the most dense and varied vegetation imaginable; Tom could recognize at a distance, only the cocoanut palms, and the mangroves, with their huge, spreading roots.

at the time that

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading The canoes proceeded up the lagoon to a native village, marked by a cluster of coco-palms which seemed to be floating in the water.

a Caucasian

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The young men were clean-limbed and had very fine faces; the girls were almost beautiful, though the older women showed how labor and daily toil aged and furrowed their faces and bent their bodies.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading AN UNPLEASANT TRIP That trip up the Rio Patuca was one of the worst experiences Tom had ever been through, and Bill agreed with him when he said so.

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

From this reading The whole village turned out to watch the landing of the white men and their young companion and Tom saw that they were as curious about him as he was about them.