Chapter XVI · Legends

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

a component that is added to something to improve it

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

(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 need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

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

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

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

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

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

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

plural of “clue” — a slight indication

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

destroyed completely

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

before anything else

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

only a very short time before

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

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

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

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

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

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

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

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

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

plural of “islander” — an inhabitant of an island

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

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

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

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

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

plural of “legend” — a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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 First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

not any; not one

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

and nothing more

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

being or affecting only a part; not total

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

past form of “quote” — repeat a passage from

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

in the order given

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

in the second place

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

explained or answered

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

tending to suggest or imply

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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

From this reading First Arrival on the Island—The Long Ears exterminated by the Short Ears—The Struggle between Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

in the third place

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

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

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It remains to be seen what accounts the islanders give of their origin and history in addition to the vague fragments already quoted.

at the time that

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

in or at the place that

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

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

From this reading These legends fall into three groups, which, though they touch at some points, are in reality separate, and their relation to one another in point of time cannot be certainly ascertained.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It need hardly be said that, like all such legends, they cannot be regarded as more than suggestive; when the mysteries have been solved, it will no doubt be easy to see where they have been founded on fact, and where error has crept in, and essential points distorted or forgotten; meanwhile, the clues they afford can only be partial.

in the company of; together with

From this reading These groups deal respectively, firstly with the arrival of the islanders under Hotu-matua; secondly with the destruction of the Long Ears; and thirdly with the war between the two sides of the island, Kotuu and Hotu Iti.