used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
attainmentnounUS /əˈteɪnmənt/
the act of achieving an aim
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
a period of 100 years
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/
at every point
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
fifteenthadjectiveUS /fɪfˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the fourteenth and just before the sixteenth in position
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
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 There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
an occurrence of something
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
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 There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
MAGNETICadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnetɪk/
of or relating to or caused by magnetism
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
maximnounUS /ˈmæksəm/
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
come into possession of
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
and nothing more
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
OttomannounUS /ˈɑːtəmən/
a Turk (especially a Turk who is a member of the tribe of Osman I)
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
overlandadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlænd/
traveling or passing over land
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
perseverancenounUS /ˌpɝː.səˈvɪr.əns/
Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in success. (Sự kiên trì, bền bỉ không bỏ cuộc.)
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
projectverbUS /ˈprɑːdʒekt/
communicate vividly
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
unusual or striking
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
routesnounUS /ruːts/
plural of “route” — an established line of travel or access
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
only a very short time before
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
theretoadverbUS /ˈðertuː/
to that
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century placed a barrier across these routes.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading For centuries there had been trade routes between Europe and India overland.
treasure-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
unlockverbUS /ənˈlɑːk/
open the lock of
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading As a study of perseverance it is remarkable: but the inspiration of the whole project was to get at the world’s great treasure-house, to find the way thereto and then unlock its doors.
a late time of life
From this reading There is scarcely any better instance of this on a large scale than the longing to find a route to India by sea, and the attainment of this only after long years and years.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE MAGNETIC EAST Within human experience it is a safe maxim, that if you keep on continuously thinking and longing for a certain object you are almost sure, eventually, to obtain that which you desire.
