used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
Ali'snounUS /ˈɑːliz/
possessive form of “ali” — United States prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942)
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
(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 We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
BaghdadnounUS /ˈbæɡdæd/
capital and largest city of Iraq; located on the Tigris River
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
an opposing military force
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
favouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
set up or found
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
on one occasion
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
and nothing more
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
palm-groves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
RAFTnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
sightedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪtɪd/
able to see
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
sixty-fiveadjective
being five more than sixty
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading We could faintly see the town itself on the distant horizon line to the east, separated from us by a great expanse of sandy desert.
travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
familiar with many parts of the world
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From this point it was only a few hours by land to Baghdad.
waterwheels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We travelled on all night, and on waking up next morning found ourselves floating past cultivated banks and creaking waterwheels, and sighted in the distance dark patches of palm-groves.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading But, in spite of Ali's prayers to the "God of the favouring breeze," our enemy the wind rose up once more and compelled us to put to shore.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE END OF THE RAFT We were now only sixty-five miles from Baghdad, and with luck we should reach it next day.
