Chapter VII · The Arab World

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

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

(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 My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

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

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

state categorically

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

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

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

plural of “brass” — an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

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

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

a professional cook

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

an island in the Mediterranean; with adjacent islets it constitutes a region of France

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading The crew was East Indian.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

causing dejection

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The crew was East Indian.

moving toward the east

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

extremely hungry

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading The crew was East Indian.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

engage in

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

a port city in southeastern France on the Mediterranean

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

past form of “mess” — eat in a mess hall

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

a port city in northeastern Sicily on the Strait of Messina

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

freedom from vanity or conceit

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

and nothing more

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

the Italian region on the island of Sardinia; the kingdom of Sardinia was the nucleus for uniting Italy during the 19th century

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading The Bibby Line scorned to carry any but first-class passengers.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

transport commercially

From this reading My official duties were largely confined to “polishin’ ’er brasses,” and, with all due modesty, I assert that the ship was the brighter for my presence.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

a resident of Sicily

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

the act of observing

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

a bad or difficult situation or state of affairs

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

plural of “stroller” — someone who walks at a leisurely pace

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

with valor; in a valiant manner

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

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

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading The crew was East Indian.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading On a placid sea the _Warwickshire_ sped eastward, sighting the mountain ranges of Corsica and Sardinia, and sweeping through the straits of Messina so close to the Sicilian shore that we could make out plainly, from the deck, the evening strollers on the brightly-lighted promenade.

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

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

a Caucasian

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The white quartermasters with whom I messed were gorged with such food as only a French chef can cook, and valiantly I struggled to make up for those famished days in the dismal streets of Marseilles.