Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

later than; following

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

side by side

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

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

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

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

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

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

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

make calm or still

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

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

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

set up or found

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

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

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

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

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

-ing form of “impale” — pierce with a sharp stake or point

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

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

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

uncertain how to act or proceed

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

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 The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

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 Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

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

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

planning or plotting in advance of acting

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

acceptance of despair

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

catch on a snag

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

having a supporting base

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

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

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

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

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

in the direction of

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

under normal conditions

From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.

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

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.

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

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

a Caucasian

From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.

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

From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.