1839
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
1851
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
AdennounUS /ˈeɪdən/
an important port of Yemen; located on the Gulf of Aden; its strategic location has made it a major trading center of southern Arabia since ancient times
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
annexedverbUS /ˈænekst/
past form of “annex” — take (territory) as if by conquest
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
ArabianounUS /əˈreɪbiə/
a peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf; strategically important for its oil resources
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
bazaarsnounUS /bəˈzɑːrz/
plural of “bazaar” — a shop where a variety of goods are sold
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
BURTONnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
civilisationnoun
the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
coaling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
desiringverbUS /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
explorationnounUS /ˌeksplərˈeɪʃən/
to travel for the purpose of discovery
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
foddernounUS /ˈfɑːdər/
soldiers who are regarded as expendable in the face of artillery fire
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
formallyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrməli/
with official authorization
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
Gondokoro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
grainnounUS /ɡreɪn/
a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
NilenounUS /naɪl/
the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
ostrichnounUS /ˈɔːstrɪtʃ/
a person who refuses to face reality or recognize the truth (a reference to the popular notion that the ostrich hides from danger by burying its head in the sand)
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
outpostnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊst/
a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
plyingverbUS /ˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
SomalinounUS /səˈmɑːli/
a member of a tall dark (mostly Muslim) people inhabiting Somalia
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
Somaliland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
southwesternadjectiveUS /ˌsaʊˈθwestərn/
situated in or oriented toward the southwest
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
SPEKEnoun
English explorer who with Sir Richard Burton was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika; he also discovered Lake Victoria and named it (1827-1864)
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
SueznounUS /ˈsuːez/
a city in northeastern Egypt at the head of the Gulf of Suez and at the southern end of the Suez Canal
From this reading In 1839 the British government had formally annexed Aden at the southwestern corner of Arabia as a coaling station for ships plying between Suez and India.
suppliesnounUS /səˈplaɪz/
plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BURTON AND SPEKE Nile exploration from the north had stopped in 1851 at the rapids south of Gondokoro.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
tradedverbUS /ˈtreɪdɪd/
past form of “trade” — engage in the trade of
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now felt that the problem should be attacked from other directions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Aden is opposite the Somali coast, and has been for many centuries the outpost of civilisation with which the Somali have traded.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was impossible to possess Aden long without desiring to become acquainted with the character of the African coast across the gulf, especially as Aden depended so much on Somaliland for its supplies of meat, grain, and fodder, and the ostrich feathers, ivory, and skins sold in the Aden bazaars.
