used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
Bund
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
clutteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
compactnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
consulnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəl/
a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
deck-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
DOANE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
give expression to
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
Hankow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
lunchedverbUS /lʌntʃt/
past form of “lunch” — take the midday meal
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
mattingnounUS /ˈmætɪŋ/
a covering of coarse fabric (usually of straw or hemp)
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
missionarynounUS /ˈmɪʃəneri/
someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
mooredverbUS /mʊrd/
past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
northwardadverbUS /ˈnɔːrθwərd/
in a northern direction
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
overnightadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈnaɪt/
during or for the length of one night
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
passers-bynounUS /ˈpæsərzbaɪ/
plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
PekingnounUS /ˈpiːˈkɪŋ/
capital of the People's Republic of China in the Hebei province in northeastern China; 2nd largest Chinese city
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
river-folk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
sampansnounUS /ˈsæmpænz/
plural of “sampan” — an Asian skiff usually propelled by two oars
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
skywardadjectiveUS /ˈskaɪwərd/
directed toward heaven or the sky
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
carry out
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had arranged to stop overnight, with Betty, in a missionary compound.
toweringadjectiveUS /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
From this reading DOANE stood on the Bund at Hankow, by the railing, his great frame towering above the passers-by.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had lunched with the consul general, an old acquaintance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In the morning they would take the weekly Peking Express northward.
Yangtse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The wide yellow Yangtse flowed by, between its steep mud cliffs, crowded with sampans--hundreds of them moored, rail to rail, against the opposite bank, a compact floating village that was cluttered and crowded with ragged river-folk and deck-houses of arched matting and that reared skyward a thick tangle of masts and rigging.
