Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

a stay that supports the back of something

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

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

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

injury to the brain caused by a blow; usually resulting in loss of consciousness

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

occurring with or following as a consequence

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

carefully weighed

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

a wide scope

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

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

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

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

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

a single distinct event

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

the early stage of growth or development

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

staying power

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

and nothing more

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

not any; not one

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

being perceived or observed

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

to extremes

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

a companion at play

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

any soft or soggy mass

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

past form of “relent” — give in, as to influence or pressure

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

a feeling of sorrow (often self-indulgent) over your own sufferings

From this reading The concussion would kill him, of course; but no self-pity afflicted him now.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

not in physical motion

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

successive (without a break)

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

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

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

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

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.

a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

as the end result of a succession or process

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

the topmost one of two

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading It did no good; the backstay was now farther away.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

which person or people

From this reading He merely considered that she, who had relented, would be spared the sight of him crushed to a pulp on the deck.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As he drifted slowly down past the expanse of upper topsail, he noticed that his head was sinking and his body turning so that he would ultimately face forward; but still his arms and legs held their extended position, like those of a speared frog, and the thought recalled to him an incident of his infancy--a frog-hunt with an older playmate, his prowess, success, wet feet, and consequent illness.

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

From this reading As it led in a straight line from the royal-masthead to the rail, this meant that he would fall overboard, and the thought comforted him.