used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
(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 landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
alpacanounUS /ælˈpækə/
wool of the alpaca
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
any thing at all
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
ArequipanounUS /ˌɑːreˈkiːpɑː/
a city in southern Peru founded in 1540 on the site of an ancient Inca city
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
Arica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
cocanounUS /ˈkoʊkə/
a South American shrub whose leaves are chewed by natives of the Andes; a source of cocaine
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
CorporationnounUS /ˌkɔːrpərˈeɪʃən/
a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
Cuzconoun
a town in the Andes in southern Peru; formerly the capital of the Inca empire
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
exportsnounUS /ˈekspɔːrts/
plural of “export” — commodities (goods or services) sold to a foreign country
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
far-distant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
GatewaynounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪ/
an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
hidesnounUS /haɪdz/
plural of “hide” — the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
of great significance or value
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
ImprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
Iquique
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
landing-stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
molenounUS /moʊl/
the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
Mollendo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
not any; not one
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
oresnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “ore” — a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
Paita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
Paz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
PeruviannounUS /pərˈuːviən/
a native or inhabitant of Peru
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
prevailverbUS /prɪˈveɪl/
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
productsnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkts/
plural of “product” — commodities offered for sale
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
rainlessadjective
lacking rain
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
roadsteadnoun
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
sheep'snounUS /ʃiːps/
possessive form of “sheep” — woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
shippedverbUS /ʃɪpt/
inflected form of “ship” — transport commercially
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
south-westerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
steamersnounUS /ˈstiːmərz/
plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
stretchesnounUS /ˈstretʃəz/
plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _“The Gateway to an Imprisoned Land”_ Mollendo, the port for Arequipa, Cuzco, La Paz, is anything but an inviting place.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
unsheltered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading It is a dismal town like Iquique, Arica, Paita, and many others on the rainless coast that stretches for hundreds of weary miles down the Pacific.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The landing-stage or mole belonging to the Peruvian Corporation is the most important feature of the dusty town, for from it all the rich products of the far-distant interior are shipped into the barges which carry them out to the steamers that anchor in the roadstead.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The port is unsheltered and strong south-westerly winds prevail, making the landing in small boats a matter of no little difficulty.
woolnounUS /wʊl/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading The exports are alpaca and sheep’s wool, hides, coca leaves, Peruvian bark, silver, tin, and iron ores.
