Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

(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 The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

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

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

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

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

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

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

past form of “better” — surpass in excellence

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

a state at a particular time

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

a lateen-rigged sailing vessel used by Arabs

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

at any time

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading "This is terrible work!" exclaimed Jack.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

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

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

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

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

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

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

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

From this reading "This is terrible work!" exclaimed Jack.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

a small worthless amount

From this reading "This is terrible work!" exclaimed Jack.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

in a miserable manner

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

past form of “near” — move towards

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

go across or through

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

continued in your keeping or use or memory

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

transport commercially

From this reading This question was put as the ship neared the scene of the catastrophe.

plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading "This is terrible work!" exclaimed Jack.

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

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

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

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

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

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"

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

From this reading "This is terrible work!" exclaimed Jack.

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

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

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

From this reading The blacks stopped but a few moments, and then, terrorstricken, fled on into the desert, there in all probability to perish miserably.

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

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Had we allowed the dhow to pass, though those poor creatures might have been kept for ever as slaves, they might have retained their lives, it may be, and bettered their condition; but it was our duty to destroy the dhow at all events.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading "This is terrible work!" exclaimed Jack.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Do you think it possible that any can have escaped, Higson?"