used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
(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 Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
civilizedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəlaɪzd/
having a high state of culture and development both social and technological
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
without stop or interruption
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
crossesnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪz/
plural of “cross” — a wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
Dobrudscha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
gaudilyadverb
in a tastelessly garish manner
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
heedlessadjective
marked by or paying little heed or attention
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
lightersnounUS /ˈlaɪtərz/
plural of “lighter” — a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
full of life and energy
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
mannedadjectiveUS /mænd/
having a crew
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
coated with paint
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
rainbownounUS /ˈreɪnboʊ/
an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
Roumanianadjective
of or relating to or characteristic of the country of Romania or its people or languages
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
sailing-vessels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
Silistria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
not in physical motion
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
summonsesnounUS /ˈsʌmənzɪz/
plural of “summons” — a request to be present
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
carry out
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ten miles below Silistria the Roumanian frontier crosses the river, and the district of the Dobrudscha begins.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
tow-boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
TurksnounUS /tɜːrks/
plural of “turk” — a native or inhabitant of Turkey
From this reading Numerous tow-boats with lighters passed to and fro, and every open reach was lively with gaudily painted sailing-vessels, manned by Turks dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and looking as little like sailors as the craft they were in looked like modern civilized ships.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The river life was fast becoming more active as we went down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We treated these summonses with scorn, and paddled along heedless of the shouts which followed us.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To our surprise, the line of pickets still continued along the left bank, although we were fairly in the Roumanian kingdom, and now and then a soldier would appear in sight, take a lively interest as we passed, and sometimes order us to come ashore.
