Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

given as a task

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

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

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

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

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

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

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

a youthful male person

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

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

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

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

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

plural of “hull” — dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

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

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

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

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

without good reason

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

a cargo ship

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

coming to understand something clearly and distinctly

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

express in words

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

transport commercially

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

carry out

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

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

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

a tax imposed on ships that enter the US; based on the tonnage of the ship

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

a large number or amount

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

a qualitative change

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

being five more than twenty

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.

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

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

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

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

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 The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

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

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

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

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

during the time that

From this reading The ships of the time lay but lightly on the water, while their hulls were carried up to a prodigious height; and it is not too much to say that the portion of the Swanne, above water, was fully as large as the hull which we see of a merchantman of four times her tonnage.

belonging to which person

From this reading It was to the Swanne that he had been allotted, for it was on board that ship that the boy whose place he was to take had been seized with illness.

superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A week since, and the realization of the dream had appeared beyond his wildest hopes.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now, almost with the suddenness of a transformation scene, this had changed; and there was he on his way out to the Swanne, a part of the expedition itself.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Although but twenty-five tons in burden, the Swanne made a far greater show than would be made by a craft of that size in the present day.