used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
basinnounUS /ˈbeɪsən/
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
breakwaternounUS /ˈbreɪkwɔːtər/
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
of short duration or distance
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
CANALnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
conferencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfərənsəz/
plural of “conference” — a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
cruiseverbUS /kruːz/
drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
CyprusnounUS /ˈsaɪprəs/
a country on the island of Cyprus; 80% of the people are of Greek origin and 20% or Turkish origin
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
true confidential information
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
educationaladjectiveUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃənəl/
relating to the process of education
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
at any time
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
Guardian-Mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
indefiniteadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdefənət/
vague or not clearly defined or stated
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
individualsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/
plural of “individual” — a human being
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
instructiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktɪv/
serving to instruct or enlighten or inform
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
lecturesnounUS /ˈlektʃərz/
plural of “lecture” — a speech that is open to the public
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
engage in
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
mapsnounUS /mæps/
plural of “map” — a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
more desirable than another
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
on the contrary
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
SUEZnounUS /ˈsuːez/
a city in northeastern Egypt at the head of the Gulf of Suez and at the southern end of the Suez Canal
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
talksnounUS /tɔːks/
a discussion intended to produce an agreement
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
touristsnounUS /ˈtʊrəsts/
plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
uppermostadjectiveUS /ˈʌpərmoʊst/
at or nearest to the top
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading In the lectures, conferences, talks, and explanations to individuals, the professor and himself had felt the want of suitable maps on a large scale.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading There was about thirty feet of water off the breakwater; and though there was an extensive basin at the town, the commander preferred to anchor outside for purposes he had in view.
at the time that
From this reading A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUEZ CANAL The sea was quite smooth when the Guardian-Mother and her tender arrived off Port Said.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The trip to Cyprus had interrupted the educational work of the tourists, and this was the grand object ever uppermost in his mind.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Though this instructive element of the cruise around the world had been prominent in his thoughts before the steamer sailed from New York, it was rather indefinite in its details, so that he had failed to make some preparations for the work which the experience of a year now suggested to him.
