used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
in the past
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
ANCHORnounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading UP ANCHOR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
subject to appointment
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
BalticnounUS /ˈbɔːltɪk/
a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
Bartelot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
confined by bonds
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
BritainnounUS /ˈbrɪtən/
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
a social unit living together
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
freighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
HollandnounUS /ˈhɑːlənd/
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
impetuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpetʃwəs/
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
IslenounUS /aɪl/
a small island
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
Janeiro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
MediterraneannounUS /ˌmedətərˈeɪniən/
the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
merchantmennounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃəntmɪn/
plural of “merchantman” — a cargo ship
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
and nothing more
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
MorleynounUS /ˈmɔːrli/
United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
not any; not one
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
pilgrimagenounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmədʒ/
a journey to a sacred place
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
profferedverbUS /ˈprɑːfərd/
past form of “proffer” — present for acceptance or rejection
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
reconcileverbUS /ˈrekənsaɪl/
make (one thing) compatible with
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
RionounUS /ˈriːoʊ/
the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To return to England merely to find that Ethel and her family had sailed at the appointed time, months ago, for the Isle of France, was a line of action to which he, by nature restless, impetuous, and impatient, could by no means reconcile himself to adopt.
male cat
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading UP ANCHOR.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So kind Tom Bartelot's generosity was proffered in vain, and for a time poor Morley was in despair!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were hundreds freighted for Holland, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the United States, Britain, and elsewhere, but not one for the island of his pilgrimage.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In all the fleet of merchantmen which crowded the busy harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Morley could not discover a single vessel bound for the Isle of France.
