used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ling was a Northerner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Honanese are a warlike race.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
cataractsnounUS /ˈkætərækts/
plural of “cataract” — an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
flowsnounUS /floʊz/
plural of “flow” — the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
GulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
Hoang-Ho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
Honan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
Honanese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Honanese are a warlike race.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
inhospitableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈhɑːspətəbəl/
unfavorable to life or growth
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
LingnounUS /lɪŋ/
water chestnut whose spiny fruit has two rather than 4 prongs
From this reading Ling was a Northerner.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
the force of workers available
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
NorthernernounUS /ˈnɔːrðərnər/
an inhabitant of the North
From this reading Ling was a Northerner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
Pe-chili
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/
Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
provincenounUS /ˈprɑːvəns/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
provincesnounUS /ˈprɑːvənsəz/
plural of “province” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
any competition
From this reading The Honanese are a warlike race.
ravinesnounUS /rəˈviːnz/
plural of “ravine” — a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
raw-boned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
recruitverbUS /rəˈkruːt/
register formally as a participant or member
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
roamverbUS /roʊm/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
thrashesnounUS /ˈθræʃɪz/
plural of “thrash” — a swimming kick used while treading water
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
turbulentadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrbjələnt/
characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
unnavigableadjective
incapable of being navigated
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
viceroys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
warlikeadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrlaɪk/
disposed to warfare or hard-line policies
From this reading The Honanese are a warlike race.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ling was a Northerner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
which person or people
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
wolf-packs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pirates of the West River may be compared to wolf-packs that roam the southern provinces in search of plunder.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading From this province the viceroys of the north were wont to recruit the majority of their soldiers--wild, raw-boned men who, in the old days, guarded the sacred presence of the Emperor.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He hailed from the province of Honan, a land of rugged hills and dark, inhospitable valleys, through which flows the unnavigable Hoang-Ho, the turbulent Yellow River that thrashes its way into the Gulf of Pe-chili, over cataracts and rocks, through dark, precipitous ravines.
