used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
(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 They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
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 Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
bosoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
being one more than seven
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
one or the other of two
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
inferredverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “infer” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
the force of workers available
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
metropolisnounUS /məˈtrɑːpələs/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
not any; not one
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
not one, and not any
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
on one occasion
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
ORLEANSnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/
a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
racesnounUS /ˈreɪsəz/
plural of “race” — any competition
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
cut with a saw
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
sightsnounUS /saɪts/
an optical instrument for aiding the eye in aiming, as on a firearm or surveying instrument
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
throbbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
two times
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
precisely as stated
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
a Caucasian
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
which person or people
From this reading Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.
