used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
(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 Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
any thing at all
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
cavernsnounUS /ˈkævərnz/
plural of “cavern” — any large dark enclosed space
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
DavisnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading These were the diamonds in search of which Frick and Davis decided to go.
recognizable; marked
From this reading These were the diamonds in search of which Frick and Davis decided to go.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
efficientadjectiveUS /ɪˈfɪʃənt/
being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
expeditionsnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “expedition” — a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
set up or found
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
FricknounUS /frɪk/
United States industrialist who amassed a fortune in the steel industry (1849-1919)
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading These were the diamonds in search of which Frick and Davis decided to go.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
locationnounUS /loʊˈkeɪʃən/
a point or extent in space
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
minesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
quantitiesnounUS /ˈkwɑːntətiz/
plural of “quantity” — how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
remindingverbUS /riˈmaɪndɪŋ/
-ing form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading These were the diamonds in search of which Frick and Davis decided to go.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
required or under orders
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to give up all thoughts of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
at the time that
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading But he could not then get any companions to form an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Frick had obtained the report through a source which did not admit of doubt that there was at least some truth in it; and the location given with regard to the place seemed to be efficient.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading When on these expeditions Frick himself had found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories from the natives of the great quantities of these stones which were to be found in caverns of a peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted mines than anything else.
