used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
in the past
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
(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 the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
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 “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
for the reason that
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
a period of 100 years
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
DartmouthnounUS /ˈdɑːrtməθ/
a college in New Hampshire
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
EasternounUS /ˈiːstər/
a Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ; celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
EquippingnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpɪŋ/
the act of equiping with weapons in preparation for war
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
at any time
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
Falmouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
set up or found
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
ten 10s
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
idolsnounUS /ˈaɪdəlz/
plural of “idol” — a material effigy that is worshipped
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
engage in
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
marvelledverbUS /mɑːrˈveld/
inflected form of “marvel” — be amazed at
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
monumentsnounUS /ˈmɑːnjəmənts/
plural of “monument” — a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
navigatorsnounUS /ˈnævəɡeɪtərz/
plural of “navigator” — the ship's officer in charge of navigation
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
not any; not one
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
routesnounUS /ruːts/
plural of “route” — an established line of travel or access
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
cut with a saw
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
seashorenounUS /ˈsiːʃɔːr/
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
South-eastadverb
to, toward, or in the southeast
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
Southampton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
not in physical motion
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading Ever since that day passing ships have found it incomprehensible that a few hundred natives should have been able to make, move, and erect numbers of great stone monuments, some of which are over thirty feet in height; they have marvelled and passed on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
toolnounUS /tuːl/
an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
in the direction of
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
undecipheredadjective
not deciphered
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading “All the seashore is lined with numbers of stone idols, with their backs turned towards the sea, which caused us no little wonder, because we saw no tool of any kind for working these figures.”
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading As the world’s traffic has increased Easter Island has still stood outside its routes, quiet and remote, with its story undeciphered.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading So wrote, a century and a half ago, one of the earliest navigators to visit the Island of Easter in the South-east Pacific.
YachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading Why we went to Easter Island—The Building and Equipping of the Yacht—The Start from Southampton—Dartmouth—Falmouth.
