adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
aidnounUS /eɪd/
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
annihilateverbUS /əˈnaɪəleɪt/
kill in large numbers
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
armedadjectiveUS /ɑːrmd/
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
banksnounUS /bæŋks/
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
BearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
birds-of-passage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
clipper-ships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
colonistsnounUS /ˈkɑːlənɪsts/
plural of “colonist” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
colonynounUS /ˈkɑːləni/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
dissevering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
fatadjectiveUS /fæt/
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
fathomless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
foreignadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrən/
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/
coins made of gold
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
greyadjectiveUS /ɡreɪ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
hostilitiesnounUS /hɑːˈstɪlətiz/
fighting; acts of overt warfare
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
hungrilyadverbUS /ˈhʌŋɡrəli/
in the manner of someone who is very hungry
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
Mahony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
men-of-war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
motherlandnounUS /ˈmʌðərlænd/
the country where you were born
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
newsnounUS /nuːz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/
Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
revengenounUS /riˈvendʒ/
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
rumoursnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
sailverbUS /seɪl/
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
seasnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
sendingnounUS /ˈsendɪŋ/
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
tantalisingadjective
arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/
very small
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
undoneadjectiveUS /ənˈdʌn/
not done
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
unsettlingverbUS /ənˈsetəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “unsettle” — disturb the composure of
From this reading Over the fathomless grey seas that tossed between, dissevering the ancient and gigantic continent from the tiny motherland, unsettling rumours ran.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
warnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But to the majority of the colonists what England had done, or left undone, in preparation for war, was of small account.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Such was the news the sturdy clipper-ships brought out, in tantalising fragments; and those who, like Richard Mahony, were mere birds-of-passage in the colony, and had friends and relatives going to the front, caught hungrily at every detail.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
wilyadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪli/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading To them the vital question was: will the wily Russian Bear take its revenge by sending men-of-war to annihilate us and plunder the gold in our banks--us, months removed from English aid?
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading After close on forty years' fat peace, England had armed for hostilities again, her fleet set sail for a foreign sea.
