used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
(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 PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
ColtnounUS /koʊlt/
a young male horse under the age of four
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
recognizable; marked
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
defenselessadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensləs/
lacking protection or support
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
effaceverbUS /ɪˈfeɪs/
remove completely from recognition or memory
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
embarkverbUS /emˈbɑːrk/
go on board
From this reading In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard.
Emmons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
set up or found
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard.
heathennounUS /ˈhiːðən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard.
HughesnounUS /hjuːz/
English poet (born in 1930)
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
jettynounUS /ˈdʒeti/
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
for more time
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
engage in
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
the force of workers available
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
midshipmennounUS /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmen/
plural of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
not any; not one
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/
plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
PersistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/
never-ceasing
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
Phœnix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
rationsnounUS /ˈræʃənz/
plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
in the near future
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
TentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
precisely as stated
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the Chinese city.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was activity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A message had been received from Emmons which had decided Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.
