Chapter II

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

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

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a cloth used to cover the eyes

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

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

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

plural of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

a person who is being chased

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

weedy annual native to Europe but widely distributed as a weed especially in wheat

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

living quarters consisting of a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a slight suggestion or vague understanding

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

a large number or amount

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

the person who steers a ship

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

an event that causes someone to die

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

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 On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

the force of workers available

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

not any; not one

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

plural of “orange” — round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

above and across; more than

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

the possibility of future success

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

release, as from one's grip

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

plural of “seal” — fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

transport commercially

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

that is looked for

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

past form of “sport” — wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

the act of swimming

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

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

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

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

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

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

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

any of the Scandinavian people who raided the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The forecastle swarmed with them as they chased one another across it, their wet bodies glimmering moth-like in the grayness.

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

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

which person or people

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And the first two benches were covered with those whom lack of breath had induced to pause and burrow in the heaps of clothing scattered there.

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

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

in the company of; together with

From this reading CONCERNING ALREK OF THE VIKING CAMPS For four days the Wind-Raven had drifted blindfold in a fog, and now the fifth day had dawned with no prospect of release and the explorers were hard put to it for amusement.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading On the murky waves their yellow heads bobbed like so many oranges.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading On the after-deck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the company had turned the forepart of the ship into a swimming beach around which they sported with the zest of young seals.