used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
Batavian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
of short duration or distance
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
conduciveadjectiveUS /kənˈduːsɪv/
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
exaggerationnounUS /ɪɡˌzædʒərˈeɪʃən/
extravagant exaggeration
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
inasmuch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
junglesnounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəlz/
plural of “jungle” — a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
immediately past
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
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 captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
not any; not one
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
an amount of time
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
perusedverbUS /pərˈuːzd/
past form of “peruse” — examine or consider with attention and in detail
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
poisoningnounUS /ˈpɔɪzənɪŋ/
the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
express the need or desire for
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
REUNIONnounUS /riˈuːnjən/
a party of former associates who have come together again
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
Roy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As he perused the letter, the captain's eyes slowly opened; so did his mouth, and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces.
a male human offspring
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
SumatranounUS /ˌsuːˈmɑːtrə/
a mountainous island in western Indonesia
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
the rays of the sun
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
tremendousadjectiveUS /trəˈmendəs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading ADVENTURES OF THE "SUNSHINE" AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION.
precisely as stated
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The captain was seated in the back office of a Batavian merchant at the time, smoking a long clay pipe--on the principle, no doubt, that moderate poisoning is conducive to moderate health!
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a very different scene.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the last chapter--which we claim to have recorded without the slightest exaggeration, inasmuch as exaggeration were impossible--Captain David Roy, of the good brig _Sunshine_, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in the jungles of Sumatra.
