used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
(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 Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
ArabnounUS /ˈærəb/
a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
coastersnounUS /ˈkoʊstərz/
plural of “coaster” — a resident of a coastal area
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
corvettenounUS /kɔːrˈvet/
a highly maneuverable escort warship; smaller than a destroyer
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
DandynounUS /ˈdændi/
a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
dhowsnounUS /daʊz/
plural of “dhow” — a lateen-rigged sailing vessel used by Arabs
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
English-ruled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
KiddnounUS /kɪd/
Scottish sea captain who was hired to protect British shipping in the Indian Ocean and then was accused of piracy and hanged (1645-1701)
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
MadagascarnounUS /ˌmædəˈɡæskər/
a republic on the island of Madagascar; achieved independence from France in 1960
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading MAKING READY "Mombasa!"
MombasanounUS /mɑːmˈbɑːsə/
a port city in southern Kenya on a coral island in a bay of the Indian Ocean
From this reading MAKING READY "Mombasa!"
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
portsnounUS /pɔːrts/
plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading MAKING READY "Mombasa!"
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
Schoverling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
shimmeredverbUS /ˈʃɪmərd/
past form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
SomalinounUS /səˈmɑːli/
a member of a tall dark (mostly Muslim) people inhabiting Somalia
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
steamersnounUS /ˈstiːmərz/
plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
sultannounUS /ˈsʌl.tən/
A noble monarch or supreme sovereign ruler of an Islamic country or empire.
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading "Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the days of Captain Kidd.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Up above the waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind all shimmered the vivid green of trees.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
ZanzibarnounUS /ˈzænzəbɑːr/
an island in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa; part of the United Republic of Tanzania
From this reading Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French corvette up from Madagascar.
