used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
(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 It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
bundlesnounUS /ˈbʌndəlz/
plural of “bundle” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
the act of burning something
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
bush-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
ChadnounUS /tʃæd/
a small piece of paper that is supposed to be removed when a hole is punched in a card or paper tape
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
della
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
Frontispiecenoun
an ornamental facade
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
Hausas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
helmetsnounUS /ˈhelməts/
plural of “helmet” — armor plate that protects the head
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
khakiadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːki/
of a yellowish brown color
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
loin-cloths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
the force of workers available
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
NigerianounUS /naɪˈdʒɪriə/
a republic in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea; gained independence from Britain in 1960; most populous African country
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
north-western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
on one occasion
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
and nothing more
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
parchedadjectiveUS /pɑːrtʃt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
slakeverb
satisfy
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
slungverbUS /slʌŋ/
inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling
From this reading The white men and nine of the negroes had rifles slung over their backs.
the season of growth
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
stalwartadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːlwərt/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were marching wearily.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
toilsomeadjective
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
trudgingverbUS /ˈtrʌdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
Valle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
water-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading They were marching wearily.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were marching wearily.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
a Caucasian
From this reading It consisted of two white men, in khaki and sun helmets, and sixteen stalwart Hausas, wearing nothing but their loin-cloths, but carrying on their heads boxes and bundles of all shapes and sizes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _With a Frontispiece in Colour by A. della Valle_ On the afternoon of a certain day in spring a party of eighteen men was marching through the rocky, bush-covered country near the north-western corner of Lake Chad, in Northern Nigeria.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Since early morning, almost without stopping, they had been trudging their toilsome way over parched and barren land, only once discovering a water-hole at which they were able to slake their burning thirst.
