Chapter I

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

later than; following

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It had turned out a very still afternoon.

a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

next to; at the side of

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

plural of “blast” — a very long fly ball

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

the two together, not just one

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

make calm or still

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

beaten or overcome; not victorious

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

-ing form of “disperse” — distribute loosely

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

set up or found

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

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

From this reading It had turned out a very still afternoon.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

in a softened tone

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

a long narrow inlet of the sea in Scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It had turned out a very still afternoon.

above and across; more than

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

not in physical motion

From this reading It had turned out a very still afternoon.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

showing a brooding ill humor

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

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

From this reading There was a sense of safety, of sudden quiet, of escape, in that sensation of pushing off, away from all passion and agitation upon this still sea of calm.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading It had turned out a very still afternoon.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

precisely as stated

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

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

From this reading The loch was dark and still, all hushed after the sweeping blasts of rain, but black with the reflections of gloom from the sky.

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

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

at the time that

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

but in spite of that

From this reading The heavy rains were over, the clouds broken up and dispersing, with a sort of sullen stillness, like a defeated army making off in dull haste, yet not without a stand here and there, behind the mountains.

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

From this reading When Walter seated himself beside Oona in the boat, and Hamish pushed off from the beach, there fell upon both these young people a sensation of quiet and relief for which one of them at least found it very difficult to account.