Chapter IV · The Castaways

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

at or in the front

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

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

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

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

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

lacking funds

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “How near can we go to land?”

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

to a great extent or degree

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

without deviation

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

moving toward the east

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “How near can we go to land?”

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

only a very short time before

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

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

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

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

From this reading “How near can we go to land?”

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading “How near can we go to land?”

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

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 A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading “How near can we go to land?”

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading Already preparations were being made to lower one of the boats, and Gil asked his father:

plural of “proportion” — the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

on the contrary

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

waves breaking on the shore

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

in the direction of

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

neither attractive nor tempting

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

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

From this reading A long, low stretch of sand, hardly rising above the level of the ocean, could be distinguished directly ahead, and was about as uninviting a place as one could find.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “How near can we go to land?”

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

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

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

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.

which person or people

From this reading Gil and Nelse, who had expected to see an island of fair proportions, were considerably disappointed on reaching the deck at the scene before them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Toward the eastward the surf broke with considerable violence, and this it was, rather than the key itself, which attracted attention to the spot.