Chapter VII

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

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

(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 AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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 In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

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

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

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

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the act of constructing something

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a period of 10 years

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

possessing or existing in bodily form

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

at any time

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

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

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

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

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

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

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

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

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

plural of “highway” — a major road for any form of motor transport

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

not in action or at work

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a Scottish church

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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 In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

of less size or importance

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

broken stone used in macadamized roadways

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

engage in

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

an interconnected system of things or people

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

a large mass of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

belonging to the present time

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

relating to or characteristic of people of Rome

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the state of being asleep

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading In fact, he had been sleeping beneath the green sod of his native kirk for at least a decade before Europe or North America knew that these old roads of Yucatan existed.

conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task

From this reading The thoroughness and good engineering of their construction rival the famous roads of the Roman Empire or of present-day highways.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading In ancient times Chi-chen Itza and all the great and lesser cities of the Yucatan peninsula were linked by a network of smooth, hard-surfaced highways.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

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

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And MacAdam lived and died without ever having heard of them.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a late time of life

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.

a state of Mexico on the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula

From this reading AN IDLE DAY IN THE JUNGLE Several thousands of years before that sturdy Scotch engineer John MacAdam gave to the world the broken-rock road surface known as “macadam,” which has done so much to make communication easier, roads were built in Yucatan that embodied all of his sound principles of road-making.