Chapter XV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

anew

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

(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 A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

completing its life cycle within a year

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

all the weapons and equipment that a country has

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

any large and important church

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

the longest river of Asia; flows eastward from Tibet into the East China Sea near Shanghai

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

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 A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

plural of “concession” — a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

command with authority

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

plural of “dock” — an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

plural of “encroachment” — any entry into an area not previously occupied

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

apart from; not including

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

by good fortune

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

and nothing more

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

a soft silver-white univalent element of the alkali metal group; the lightest metal known; occurs in several minerals

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

one of four equal parts

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

elude, especially in a baffling way

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

except for; apart from

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

being ten more than sixty

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

a heavy silk fabric with a rough surface (or a cotton imitation)

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

covered with or resembling slime

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

caught or fixed

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Fortunately, the bottom of the river is nothing more dangerous than slimy mud, so that steamers getting stuck suffer little or nothing save the time and expense of getting afloat again.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-six and one

From this reading The distance from here to Tongku by railroad, a direct line, is but twenty-seven miles, with but one station of importance between, Chung-Liang-Cheng.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

precisely as stated

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading To the west of the native quarter is the Grand Canal, on the opposite bank of which are located the cathedral and the private grounds and palace of the viceroy of Shantung, Earl Li Hung Chang.

during the time that

From this reading The native city and the foreign concessions lie on the southern bank of the Pei-Ho; while opposite are the railroad station, docks, and, just east of these, the arsenal.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A FIRST BATTLE ON CHINESE SOIL The distance from the Gulf of Pechili to Tien-Tsin by the Pei-Ho is all of seventy miles; for the river, broad and very shallow except during the annual high tides, winds its way along in serpent fashion through marshland and reeds, with here and there an embankment thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea.