used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
for the reason that
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
borderingverbUS /ˈbɔːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “border” — extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
CaribbeannounUS /kərˈɪbiən/
an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between North and South America; the origin of the Gulf stream
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
CentraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
ColonizationnounUS /ˌkɑːlənɪˈzeɪʃən/
the act of colonizing; the establishment of colonies
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
CubanounUS /ˈkjuːbə/
a communist state in the Caribbean on the island of Cuba
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
CyprusnounUS /ˈsaɪprəs/
a country on the island of Cyprus; 80% of the people are of Greek origin and 20% or Turkish origin
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
descryverbUS /deˈskraɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
GulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
HispaniolanounUS /hɪˌspɑːˈŋoʊlə/
an island in the West Indies
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
Knights-Errant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
most important element
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
MexiconounUS /ˈmeksəkoʊ/
a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
misunderstoodadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstʊd/
wrongly understood
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
a judge of a probate court
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
OthellonounUS /əˈθeloʊ/
the hero of William Shakespeare's tragedy who would not trust his wife
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
PanamanounUS /ˈpænəmɑː/
a republic on the Isthmus of Panama; achieved independence from Colombia in 1903
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/
plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
refersverbUS /rəˈfɜːrz/
third-person singular of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
restrictedadjectiveUS /riˈstrɪktəd/
subject to restriction or subjected to restriction
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
express in words
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
suggestsverbUS /səˈdʒests/
third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Panama and the Knights-Errant of Colonization One of the commonly misunderstood phrases in the language is "the Spanish Main."
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
thereonadverbUS /ðeˈrɔːn/
on that
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the ordinary individual it suggests the Caribbean Sea.
twixt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
warrantnounUS /ˈwɔːrənt/
a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Spanish Main was that portion of South American territory distinguished from Cuba, Hispaniola and the other islands, because it was on the main land.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
at the time that
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading When the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea were a Spanish lake, the whole circle of territory, bordering thereon was the Spanish Main, but of late the title has been restricted to Central and South America.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Although Shakespeare in "Othello," makes one of the gentlemen of Cyprus say that he "cannot 'twixt heaven and main descry a sail," and, therefore, with other poets, gives warrant to the application of the word to the ocean, "main" really refers to the other element.
