Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

higher than, or over, something

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

(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 "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

any thing at all

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

marked by eagerness to resort to violence and bloodshed

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

plural of “cannibal” — a person who eats human flesh

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

rid of obstructions

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

plural of “creator” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

reject as false; refuse to accept

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

having the place or position changed

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

special importance or significance

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading It's the voice of Le Gros.

plural of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

unpleasantly stern

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading It's the voice of Le Gros.

and nothing more

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading It's the voice of Le Gros.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

plural of “mermaid” — half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

an unchanging intonation

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

filled with bewilderment

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

an event that repeats

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

express in words

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

make a murmuring sound

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

plural of “squeal” — a high-pitched howl

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

in or at that place or location

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

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

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

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

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

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 As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

a midwestern state in north central United States

From this reading The big raft is a bearin' down upon us wi' them bloodthirsty cannibals we thought we'd got clear o'.

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

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the sailor terminated his speech with this terrible emphasis, he started into an upright attitude, and listened with all his ears for another utterance of that harsh monotone that, borne upon the breeze and rising above the "sough" of the disturbed water, could easily be distinguished as the _voice of a man_.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "We're lost, Will'm!" cried he, without waiting for a repetition of the sound; "we're lost.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading "If there hadn't been gulls, an' boobies, an' Mother Carey's chickens, as squeals and chitters just like little childer, I'd a been puzzled at what ye be a tellin' me; but as I knows there be all o' these creators in the middle o' the broad ocean,--and mermaids too, I dare say,--then, ye see, little Will'm, I must disbelieve that ye heard anything more than the voice of--a man, by--!"