Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

be present or associated with an event or entity

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

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

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

the formal act of approving

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

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

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

the act of burning something

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

the largest city and former capital of Turkey

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

placed crosswise

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

plural of “desert” — arid land with little or no vegetation

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

having made preparations

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

plural of “european” — a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

plural of “hardship” — a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

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

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

defying expression or description

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

a title given to rulers or other important people in Asian countries

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

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

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

commodities offered for sale

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

of an obscure nature

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

a titled peer of the realm

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

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

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

Venetian traveler who explored Asia in the 13th century and served Kublai Khan (1254-1324)

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

a salt used especially in baking powder

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

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

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

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

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

buying or selling securities or commodities

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

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

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

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

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading MARCO POLO Now Venice at this time was full of enterprising merchants--merchants such as we hear of in Shakspere's _Merchant of Venice_.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

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

From this reading Among these were two Venetians, the brothers Polo.

in or at the place that

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

which person or people

From this reading Having made some money, they directed their way to Bokhara, where they fell in with a Tartar nobleman, who persuaded them to accompany him to the Court of the Great Khan himself.

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

From this reading Rumours had reached them of the wealth of the mysterious land of Cathay, of the Great Khan, of Europeans making their way, as we have seen, through barren wildernesses, across burning deserts in the face of hardships indescribable, to open up a highway to the Far East.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So off started Maffio and Niccolo Polo on a trading enterprise, and, having crossed the Mediterranean, came "with a fair wind and the blessing of God" to Constantinople, where they disposed of a large quantity of their merchandise.