1817
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
not being in a specified place
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
Allen'snounUS /ˈælənz/
possessive form of “allen” — United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
confined by bonds
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
capricesnounUS /kəˈpriːsəz/
plural of “caprice” — a sudden desire
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
put or send forth
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
dearly loved
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
downsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
exemplifications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
Gottenburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was on a Saturday we sailed from Gottenburg.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was on a Saturday we sailed from Gottenburg.
on one occasion
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
an amount of time
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was on a Saturday we sailed from Gottenburg.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
ThursdaynounUS /ˈθɜːrzdeɪ/
the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading It had been Captain Allen's intention to sail on the previous Thursday, but he was unexpectedly detained.
upsverbUS /ʌps/
third-person singular of “up” — raise
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We sailed from Gottenburg one morning about the first of September, 1817, bound to Boston.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading I was convinced there were worse places in the world than my own dear native land, and far worse people than those among whom my lot had been cast in childhood.
yearningnounUS /ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Having been long absent from my home without intercourse of any description with my friends and relations, and having seen during that period striking exemplifications of the caprices of fortune, having experienced "many ups and downs," the downs, however, being decidedly in the majority, I felt a strong desire, a yearning, to return once more to my friends in New England.
