used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
in addition
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
a period of 100 years
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
COLOMBOnounUS /kəˈlʌmboʊ/
the capital and largest city of Sri Lanka; has one of the largest harbors in the world; is located on the western coast of the island of Ceylon
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
consistsverbUS /kənˈsɪsts/
third-person singular of “consist” — originate
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
DutchadjectiveUS /dʌtʃ/
of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
at any time
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
half-castes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
hotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
ten 10s
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
includesverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdz/
third-person singular of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
KANDYnoun
a city of central Sri Lanka that was the last capital of the ancient kings of Ceylon; a resort and religious center
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
immediately past
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
Moormen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
nationalitiesnounUS /ˌnæʃəˈnælɪtiz/
plural of “nationality” — people having common origins or traditions and often comprising a nation
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
Parsees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
the local environment
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
Pettah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/
the people who inhabit a territory or state
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
principallyadverbUS /ˈprɪnsɪpli/
for the most part
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
one of four equal parts
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
RAILWAYnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
residencesnounUS /ˈrezɪdənsɪz/
plural of “residence” — any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
SIGHTSnounUS /saɪts/
an optical instrument for aiding the eye in aiming, as on a firearm or surveying instrument
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
sprinklingnounUS /ˈsprɪŋklɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SIGHTS IN COLOMBO.--RAILWAY JOURNEY TO KANDY.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Colombo consists of two parts, "The Fort" and "The Black Town."
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
warehousesnounUS /ˈwerhaʊzɪz/
plural of “warehouse” — a storehouse for goods and merchandise
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The Fort includes the foreign quarter: the government offices are here, and also the principal hotels and warehouses, as well as the residences of the English inhabitants.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
at the time that
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Black Town, or Pettah, is made up of a mixed population, principally natives and half-castes, with a sprinkling of Moormen, Parsees, and other nationalities more or less uncertain.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The Pettah formerly extended close up to the Fort, but when the Dutch were about to be attacked by the English, near the end of the last century, they cleared a space of several hundred yards, and it has remained clear ever since.
