used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
equally
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
BelemnounUS /ˌbeˈlem/
port city in northern Brazil in the Amazon delta; main port and commercial center for the Amazon River basin
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
boardedverbUS /ˈbɔːrdəd/
past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
burning-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
CornwallnounUS /ˈkɔːrnwɔːl/
a hilly county in southwestern England
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
travel across or pass over
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
embarkedverbUS /emˈbɑːrkt/
past form of “embark” — go on board
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
equatornounUS /ɪˈkweɪtər/
an imaginary line around the Earth forming the great circle that is equidistant from the north and south poles
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
hottestadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːtəst/
superlative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
immediately past
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
luridadjectiveUS /ˈlʊrəd/
horrible in fierceness or savagery
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
Manaos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
the force of workers available
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
and nothing more
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
swoonverbUS /swuːn/
pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
thousand-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
travelersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
precisely as stated
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There followed another week of a life that was strange and new to the travelers from Cornwall.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
well-appointedadjective
having a full array of suitable equipment or furnishings
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
at the time that
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At Belem they boarded a well-appointed steamer and embarked for the thousand-mile voyage to Manaos, which is only six degrees from the equator and one of the hottest cities of the world.
a Caucasian
From this reading For their very lives' sake, white men and Indians alike had learned to keep as quiet and cool as possible during those fiery hours.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading DEATH RIVER At last their first week in this new world of beauty and mystery came to an end.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There were silent, steaming days when the earth seemed to swoon beneath the glare of the lurid sun, and only at night would a breath of air cross the water, which gleamed like a silver burning-glass.
