used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
Acheen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
in the past
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
(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 All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
Barissan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
breathings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading THUNDER IN THE TROPICS The scene changes.
cleareradjectiveUS /ˈklɪrər/
comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
Dowager's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
dreamlandnounUS /ˈdriːmlænd/
a pleasing country existing only in dreams or imagination
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
opinion or judgment
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
Gerard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
a state of high honor
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
Helmont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
temporary military shelter
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THUNDER IN THE TROPICS The scene changes.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
a particular point in time
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
persistencenounUS /pərˈsɪstəns/
the property of a continuous and connected period of time
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THUNDER IN THE TROPICS The scene changes.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
not in physical motion
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading An hour ago it had flung itself, the sudden blackness, down the slopes of the Barissan Mountains, and away across the green islands of the Indian Ocean.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THUNDER IN THE TROPICS The scene changes.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading THUNDER IN THE TROPICS The scene changes.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
tropicadjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪk/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading All round him trembled, with soft persistence, the thousand breathings of the tropic night.
TROPICSnounUS /ˈtrɑːpɪks/
the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate
From this reading THUNDER IN THE TROPICS The scene changes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading * * * * * Gerard van Helmont stood before his hut in the compound of the little fort under his command on the Acheen River.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
precisely as stated
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
a late time of life
From this reading For one moment we look, with clearer eyes than the poor old Dowager’s, across the cruel waste of waters into a very real dreamland, and we see Gerard, Baron van Helmont, after two years of weary waiting for glory, wearily waiting for glory still.
