used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
anew
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
(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 The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was determined, therefore, to be prepared.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading STRANGE LIFE ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
characterized by great determination
From this reading He was determined, therefore, to be prepared.
EcuadornounUS /ˈekwədɔːr/
a republic in northwestern South America; became independent from Spain in 1822; the landscape is dominated by the Andes
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
a social unit living together
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
the head of a state government
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
come to pass
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was determined, therefore, to be prepared.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading STRANGE LIFE ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
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 Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading STRANGE LIFE ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
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 Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
mayhapadverb
by chance
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
the force of workers available
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
not any; not one
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
oftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading STRANGE LIFE ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
on one occasion
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
penaladjectiveUS /ˈpiːnəl/
of or relating to punishment
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He was determined, therefore, to be prepared.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
raftnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
revoltedverbUS /rɪˈvoʊltɪd/
past form of “revolt” — make revolution
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
transport commercially
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
slainnounUS /sleɪn/
people who have been slain (as in battle)
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading STRANGE LIFE ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
Talisker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STRANGE LIFE ON THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading He was determined, therefore, to be prepared.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Such things as men landing from a passing ship, to rob and mayhap murder a few inhabitants of a lonely island, have happened many times and oft, and might happen again, Tom thought.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
male cat
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Tom Talisker knew nothing for some time after this of the terrible tragedy that had taken place on the island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was determined, therefore, to be prepared.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading The place had once been a small penal settlement for political prisoners from Ecuador, the governor himself a suspect; but the men had revolted and slain both him and his family, and escaping on a raft or boat had gone no one knew whither, though in all probability to the bottom of the sea.
