used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
(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 It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
balesnounUS /beɪlz/
plural of “bale” — a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
put or send forth
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
CathaynounUS /kæˈθeɪ/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
ChinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
chronicadjectiveUS /ˈkrɑːnɪk/
being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
cranesnounUS /kreɪnz/
plural of “crane” — United States writer (1871-1900)
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
cyclenounUS /ˈsaɪkəl/
an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
someone who is a detective
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
FearlessadjectiveUS /ˈfɪrləs/
oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
firma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
gatewaynounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪ/
an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
an established custom
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
hawse-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
Hong-Kong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
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 The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
lightersnounUS /ˈlaɪtərz/
plural of “lighter” — a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
loadsnounUS /loʊdz/
a large number or amount
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
on one occasion
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
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 passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
quotationnounUS /kwoʊˈteɪʃən/
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
SURPRISESnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
swarmedverbUS /swɔːrmd/
past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
terra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had reached the gateway of Southern China and cast anchor in the harbor of Hong-Kong.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The passengers, eager once more to be on _terra firma_ after the long voyage, had gone ashore, and the boat was left to the officers and crew.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading It had been a day of great bustle and confusion, and all hands had been kept busy from the time the anchor chain rattled in the hawse-hole until dusk began to creep over the waters of the bay.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The great cranes had groaned with their loads as they swung up the bales and boxes from the hold and transferred them to the lighters that swarmed about the sides of the _Fearless_.
a late time of life
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
yieldingadjectiveUS /ˈjiːldɪŋ/
inclined to yield to argument or influence or control
From this reading THE LAND OF SURPRISES "Better fifty years of Europe Than a cycle of Cathay," murmured Dick, yielding once more to his chronic habit of quotation.
