Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

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

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

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

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

follower of Baptistic doctrines

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

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

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

past form of “bomb” — throw bombs at or attack with bombs

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

an island in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of India

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

the capital and largest city of Sri Lanka; has one of the largest harbors in the world; is located on the western coast of the island of Ceylon

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

plural of “colonist” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

being joined in close association

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

gotten under control

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

not carefully or expertly made

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

all of the offspring of a given progenitor

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

an Asian river; rises in the Himalayas and flows east into the Bay of Bengal; a sacred river of the Hindus

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

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

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

ten 10s

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

and nothing more

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

owning or consisting of land or real estate

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

weight to be borne or conveyed

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

the southern part of Scotland that is not mountainous

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

used to form the superlative

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

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

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

a human being

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

a large number or amount

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

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

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

a native or inhabitant of Sri Lanka

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

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

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

toward the south

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

make square

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

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

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

the labor of taking a load of something off of or out of a vehicle or ship or container etc.

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

precisely as stated

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

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

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

toward the west

From this reading To the southward arose the rocky headlands of the coast, and to the westward could be seen the somber peak of Pedrotallagalla, the highest mountain of the island.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Undoubtedly the huge square boxes which some of them carried aboard so easily upon their heads contained tea, for which Ceylon is famous.

which person or people

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

belonging to which person

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Numerous ships, some very crude and with queer sails, were in the harbor as the boys landed, and scores of natives in short skirts were loading and unloading these.

a late time of life

From this reading BOMBED BY ROCKS Our friends had landed in the lowlands just to the north of Colombo, whose scattered buildings contained upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, most of whom were native Singhalese, descendants of the colonists who came from the valley of the Ganges and settled the island five hundred years before the birth of Christ.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The person in charge of the landing-field here was a Mr. Young, an American clergyman connected with the local Baptist mission.