Chapter I · Chapter 1

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

plural of “cargo” — goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

a person who is in charge

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

plural of “cloth” — artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

carefully weighed

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

failure that results in a loss of position or reputation

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

being ten more than seventy

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

divisible by two

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

plural of “fleming” — British writer famous for writing spy novels about secret agent James Bond (1908-1964)

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

past form of “flourish” — grow vigorously

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

a native or resident of Genoa

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

plural of “good” — benefit

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

march in a procession

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

powerfully or vigorously

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

on one occasion

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

and nothing more

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

a town in Massachusetts founded by Pilgrims in 1620

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

bring forth or yield

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

plural of “satin” — a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

in or at that place or location

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Large ships were not needed in those days, for the only cargoes sent across the sea were costly and precious goods, which occupied but small space.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

very small

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

a large number or amount

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

buying or selling securities or commodities

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

a resident of Venice

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading On March 3rd, 1516, the trading vessel the Swan dropped anchor at Plymouth.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading She was only of some eighty tons burden, but there were few ships that sailed out from Plymouth of much larger size; and Plymouth was even then rising into importance as a seaport, having flourished mightily since the downfall of its once successful rival--Fowey.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.

plural of “wine” — fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading The cloths of the Flemings, the silks and satins of Italy, the produce of the East, which passed first through the hands of the Venetian and Genoese merchants, and the wines of France and Spain were the chief articles of commerce.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She would in our days be considered a tiny craft indeed, but she was then looked upon as a large vessel, and one of which her owner, Master Diggory Beggs, had good reason to be proud.