Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

plural of “approach” — ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

only a very short time before

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

plural of “battleship” — large and heavily armoured warship

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

plural of “carving” — a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

a hard ferromagnetic silver-white bivalent or trivalent metallic element; a trace element in plant and animal nutrition

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

brought together in one place

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

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

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

dreamy in mood or nature

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

one or the other of two

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

past form of “embellish” — add details to

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

exceedingly; extremely

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

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

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

-ing form of “flaunt” — display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

covered with water

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

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

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

possessive form of “holland” — a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

an erroneous mental representation

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

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

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

on one occasion

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

and nothing more

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

past form of “ornament” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

first in rank or degree

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

cut into a desired shape

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

lasting a very short time

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

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 As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

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

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

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

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

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

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading The inhabitants built fine houses with crow-stepped gables and sculptured façades and collected in them exotic treasures, furniture, plate and china.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Then gaily-rigged vessels embellished with gilded carvings and flaunting flags entered the little harbor, fishing boats, merchant vessels and battleships.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As one approaches my little city from the sea on a summer's day, one sees only the tall, round clump of trees on the ramparts and, overtopping it, the old bell-tower with its fantastically shaped and ornamented stories and dome-top of deep cobalt blue.

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading It is a dreamy little town, that once in Holland's prime had a short-lived illusion of worldly grandeur.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The land to either side is barely visible, and the green foliage flooded with pale sunshine seems to drift in the sun-mist on the grayish yellow waters.