Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

(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 All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

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 Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

plural of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

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 The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

address a question to and expect an answer from

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

possessive form of “joseph” — leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

a province in southern China

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

a heavy morocco often used in bookbinding

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

-ing form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

in a precarious manner

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

a strong line

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

plural of “sampan” — an Asian skiff usually propelled by two oars

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

cut with a saw

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

explained or answered

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

furnish with spars

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

plural of “stern” — the rear part of a ship

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

pounded or hit repeatedly by storms or adversities

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

plural of “trawler” — a fisherman who use a trawl net

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

in the direction against a stream's current

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading Vessels from almost every western nation were there, too--bluff-bowed Dutch craft with square-headed crews, brigantines from the Levant, and ships from Spain, England, and America.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The captains of three other American ships in port came aboard to inquire about the state of the seas between the Si-Kiang and the Cape of Good Hope and shook their heads gravely at what we told them.

at the time that

From this reading All were nameless when I saw them for the first time, and strange; but in the days that followed I learned them rope and spar.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A MYSTERY IS SOLVED, AND A THIEF GETS AWAY Innumerable sampans were plying up and down the river, some with masts and some without, and great junks with carved sterns lay side by side so closely that their sails formed a patchwork as many-colored as Joseph's coat.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading There were West River small craft with arched deck-houses, which had beaten their way precariously far up and down the coast; tall, narrow sails from the north, and web-peaked sails on curved yards from the south; Hainan and Kwangtung trawlers working upstream with staysails set, and a few storm-tossed craft with great holes gaping between their battens.