Chapter VIII

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

contrary to your interests or welfare

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

a resident or native of Alexandria (especially Alexandria in Egypt)

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

exhale hard

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

a period of 100 years

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

bring under control by force or authority

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

someone who is victorious by force of arms

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true and both cannot be false

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

reach, make, or come to a decision about something

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

a native or inhabitant of Egypt

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

plural of “excess” — a quantity much larger than is needed

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

plural of “fishery” — a workplace where fish are caught and processed and sold

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

resembling glass in smoothness and shininess and slickness

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

a native or inhabitant of Macedon

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

not any; not one

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

a large mass of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

the power to foresee the future

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

dangerous to yourself or your interests

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

plural of “shoal” — a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

sweep across or over

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

in or at that place or location

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading So he struck his spear into the sand, and there arose at the blow a city having the spirit of its founder--great, splendid, contentious, contradictory, impetuous and finally self-destructive through its excesses.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

lacking beauty or charm

From this reading No other port along the coast presented a more unattractive appearance.

not producing or capable of producing

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

having strong sexual appeal

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

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

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

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

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For a century previous, a straggling Egyptian village, called Rhacotis, eked out a precarious existence by fisheries; the port was filled with shoals or clogged with water-growth, and the voluptuous fertility of the Nile margin followed the slow sweep of the great river into the sea twelve miles farther to the east.

plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere

From this reading But Alexander, having no more worlds to conquer, turned his opposition upon adverse conditions.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading AN ALEXANDRIAN CHARACTERISTIC Nothing but prescience could have inspired Alexander, the young Macedonian conqueror, to decide to plant a city on the sandy peninsula which lay hot, flat, low and unproductive between the glassy waters of Lake Mareotis and the tumble of the Mediterranean.