Chapter XXI

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

-ing form of “abandon” — forsake, leave behind

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

later than; following

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

expressing pain or agony

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

an electrical force linking atoms

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

someone who cuts or carves stone

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

(plural) the deepest and most remote part

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

divisible by two

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

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

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

opinion or judgment

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

a period of fourteen consecutive days

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

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

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

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

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

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

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

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 It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

the force of workers available

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

as might be expected

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

easily agitated

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

on one occasion

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

and nothing more

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

relieve from

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

Identical; not different.

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

make high-pitched, whiney noises

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

in a softened tone

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

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

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading The sudden death of John Bond caused an interruption in the lives of most of the people concerned in this history.

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

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

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

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

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

From this reading It was long before he could rid his dreams of the ever-repeated scene.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

at the time that

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

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

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.

a Caucasian

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

which person or people

From this reading Even Totty, who was not naturally nervous, was haunted by terrible visions in the night and was a little pale and subdued during a fortnight after the accident.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he closed his eyes the white sail of the little cutter rose before them, the sharp and sudden squall struck the canvas, and almost at the same instant he felt himself once more in the cool depths, struggling with a man already almost dead, striving with agonised determination to hold his breath, then abandoning the effort and losing consciousness, only to awake with a violent start and a short, smothered cry.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading George Wood had received one of those violent mental impressions from which men do not recover for many weeks.