used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
(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 There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərədʒ/
the condition of being secured to a base
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
an occurrence of something
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading ON THE COROMANDEL COAST.
COROMANDEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE COROMANDEL COAST.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
crazyadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪzi/
affected with madness or insanity
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
FreedverbUS /friːd/
past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
provoking horror
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
incubusnoun
a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
MadrasnounUS /ˈmædrəs/
a state in southeastern India on the Bay of Bengal (south of Andhra Pradesh); formerly Madras
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
massulah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
many times at short intervals
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE COROMANDEL COAST.
and nothing more
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
rock-hewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
sea-front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
be standing; be upright
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
express a supposition
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
surf-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE COROMANDEL COAST.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
typicaladjectiveUS /ˈtɪpəkəl/
exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
usagenounUS /ˈjuːsədʒ/
the act of using
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading Freed from that horrible incubus, I had now leisure to look about and enjoy the varied scenes that presented themselves.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading There was no harbour or shelter of any kind, so that vessels lay all ready for sea in case of bad weather setting in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The place we were lying at was, I suppose, a typical native coast village, a big hill facing the anchorage having a rock-hewn temple upon its sea-front.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All cargo was brought off in the crazy "massulah" boats, which have been so often described by visitors to Madras, and are the only craft able to stand the rough usage of the surf-beaten beach.
