used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
in actual fact
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
in the past
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
breakwaternounUS /ˈbreɪkwɔːtər/
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
CanalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(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 THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
continentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənts/
plural of “continent” — one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
FerdinandnounUS /ˈfɜːrdɪnænd/
the king of Castile and Aragon who ruled jointly with his wife Isabella
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
GATEWAYnounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪ/
an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
and nothing more
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
Lessepsnoun
French diplomat who supervised the construction of the Suez Canal (1805-1894)
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
MediterraneannounUS /ˌmedətərˈeɪniən/
the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
come together
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
and nothing more
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
in motion
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
OrientverbUS /ˈɔːrient/
be oriented
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
Orontes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
To recall to mind.
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
transport commercially
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
having a supporting base
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
statuenounUS /ˈstætʃuː/
a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
SueznounUS /ˈsuːez/
a city in northeastern Egypt at the head of the Gulf of Suez and at the southern end of the Suez Canal
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE GATEWAY OF THE EAST The anchor is up and we are in a stately ship moving on slowly into the Suez Canal.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
at the time that
From this reading When we arrived at Port Said--how many weeks ago was it?
in or at the place that
From this reading Just here, you remember, we are at the place where three continents meet, Europe being represented by the Mediterranean Sea.
which person or people
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It seems to me like a year--we were on the _Orontes_, of the Orient Line, and we steamed into the harbour past a long breakwater like a thin arm; standing upon it is a statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who made the Suez Canal.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading That meant nothing to you then, for the canal was merely a name and not of any special interest, but now that we are actually passing into it it is different.
