Chapter IX · Guardians of the Camp

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

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

(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 They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

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

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

possessive form of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

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

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

a boy or man

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

characterized by intense emotion

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

come to pass

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

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

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

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

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

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

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

engage in

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

a state of confusion and disorderliness

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

in motion

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

and nothing more

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

by chance

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

with speed

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

precisely, exactly

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

in a softened tone

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

a sudden outburst of anger

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

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

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

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

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

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

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

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

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "But perhaps they're only down here for a row; or, it may happen that they mean to get a mess of those fine perch," suggested Will.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

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

From this reading "I did; but it looks as if they've thought better of it, for now the old boat's moving on.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

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

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

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

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

a shaky motion

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

the act of using

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

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

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

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

From this reading Bluff was a reckless fellow at times, and inclined to be fiery, though, like most of his kind, his temper was quickly subdued, and he easily became repentant.

which person or people

From this reading They'll land, all right, and try some game on us to-night, likely," answered the other, who had pushed the gun forward as if meaning to make use of it should the necessity arise.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Do you believe they mean to land here?" asked Will, his voice trembling a bit.