used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
having companions or an escort
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
befellverbUS /bɪˈfel/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
brigands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
CantonnounUS /ˈkæntən/
a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China; the capital of Guangdong province and a major deep-water port
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
fulfilverbUS /fʊlˈfɪl/
put in effect
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
Hong-Kong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
immediately past
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
the act of departing
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
Men-Ching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
mishapnounUS /ˈmɪshæp/
an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
not any; not one
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
outpostsnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊsts/
plural of “outpost” — a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
Pinglo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
a full supply
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
river-junk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
river-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
Identical; not different.
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
steam-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was, therefore, plenty of time--provided no mishap befell him--for Men-Ching to fulfil his mission.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
two times
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That same evening, Men-Ching, accompanied by another man, set forth upon his journey to the south.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
in or at the place that
From this reading The prisoners had little doubt that he would find a river-junk at Pinglo or at some other river-side village where the brigands had established outposts.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the help of the current and a favourable wind, he could reach Canton in a few days, and thence the last stage of the journey could be completed by steam-boat--ships leaving Canton for Hong-Kong at least twice a day.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was calculated that he could reach the river in five days, though to do so he would have to travel by night as well as day.
