used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
matters of personal concern
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
DecisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
even-temperedadjective
not easily irritated
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
first-classadjectiveUS /ˌfɜːrstˈklæs/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
intriguesnounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡz/
plural of “intrigue” — a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
mastersnounUS /ˈmæstərz/
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the force of workers available
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
ninetiesnounUS /ˈnaɪntiz/
the decade from 1890 to 1899
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
not any; not one
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/
inferior in rank or status
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
punctiliousadjectiveUS /pəŋkˈtɪliəs/
marked by precise accordance with details
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
with low volume
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
racesnounUS /ˈreɪsəz/
plural of “race” — any competition
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
seamanshipnoun
skill in sailing
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
express in speech
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
stratagemsnounUS /ˈstrætədʒəmz/
plural of “stratagem” — a maneuver in a game or conversation
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
unaffectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “As for Captain Strong, I unaffectedly liked him.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon his own personal adventures and career, however, he was completely silent, and no stratagems of mine could lure him into speaking of them.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
look attentively
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading His conversation revealed a wide and intimate knowledge of men and affairs, and in particular of those intrigues by which the Great Powers were in those days--I speak of the ’nineties--pushing their fortunes at the expense of the Chinese races.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading Decisive but even-tempered, his quietly firm handling of the ship’s company won my respect, and there was no doubt of his first-class seamanship.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was utterly without that petty punctilious pride by which some masters try to conceal their lack of native dignity, and he would talk to me for hours during my watch.
