Chapter V

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

later than; following

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

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

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

capability to perform or produce

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

without doubt or question

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

in a commercial manner

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

causing dejection

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

past form of “entrust” — confer a trust upon

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

plural of “excess” — a quantity much larger than is needed

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

an act that fails

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

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

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

set up or found

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

highest in quality

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

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 THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

a message received and understood

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

and nothing more

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

a city in northwestern England

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the activity of leading

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

used to form the superlative

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

and nothing more

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

the human beings of a particular nation or community or ethnic group

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

the Romance language spoken in Portugal and Brazil

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

transport commercially

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

for a short time

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

under normal conditions

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

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

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

at the time that

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

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

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE FIRST EAST INDIA COMPANY Although the expedition of those three tall ships related in the previous chapter had been commercially such a dismal failure, it had shown that James Lancaster was the kind of man to whom there should be entrusted the leadership, not only of a single ship, but of an entire expedition.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading He had obtained information about winds, tides, currents, places, peoples and trade.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading With the greatest difficulty he had prevented his unruly crew from excesses, he had taken his ship most of the way round the world, he had shown that he could put up a good fight when needs be, and that he possessed a capacity for finding out information—a most valuable ability in these the first days of Indian voyaging.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading He had got to know where the Portuguese ships were usually to be found, where they started from and at what times of the year.

a late time of life

From this reading Clearly he was just the man for the big expedition which was shortly to start from England, after but a few years’ interval.