used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
approximatelyadverbUS /əˈprɑːksəmətli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
connectingverbUS /kəˈnektɪŋ/
-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
contraptionnounUS /kənˈtræpʃən/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
ExplorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
inspectingverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
KennounUS /ken/
range of what one can know or understand
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
LivingstonnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋstən/
American Revolutionary leader who served in the Continental Congress and as minister to France (1746-1813)
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
MagdalenanounUS /ˌmæɡdəˈliːnə/
a river that rises in the Andes mountains in southwestern Colombia and flows generally northward to empty into the Caribbean Sea at Barranquilla
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
motor-powered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
continue talking
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
with little or no delay
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
propellernounUS /prəˈpelər/
a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
runnersnounUS /ˈrʌnərz/
plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
sea-sled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Mr. Livingston and the Explorers presented themselves at the dock promptly at seven o’clock the following morning.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading The sea-sled was approximately thirty feet in length, motor-powered, and with curious runners.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Queer looking contraption,” Ken remarked upon inspecting it.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The propeller boat in which they were to ride already was waiting.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were to proceed by way of a natural channel connecting the Magdalena River with the sea.
