used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
in the past
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
CantonnounUS /ˈkæntən/
a city on the Zhu Jiang delta in southern China; the capital of Guangdong province and a major deep-water port
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
cedeverbUS /siːd/
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
a period of 100 years
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
drainedadjectiveUS /dreɪnd/
emptied or exhausted of (as by drawing off e.g. water or other liquid)
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
fishernounUS /ˈfɪʃər/
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Two Young Friends.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
grass-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
hamletsnounUS /ˈhæmləts/
plural of “hamlet” — a community of people smaller than a village
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
Hongkong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
of great significance or value
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
mazenounUS /meɪz/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
used to form the superlative
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
nestleverbUS /ˈnesəl/
move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
on one occasion
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
plantedadjectiveUS /ˈplæntɪd/
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
swampsnounUS /swɑːmps/
plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
swampyadjectiveUS /ˈswɑːmpi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
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 The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two Young Friends.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading More than half a century ago the English seized upon this island and forced the Chinese to cede it to them.
vieverbUS /vaɪ/
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
villasnounUS /ˈvɪləz/
plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading The swamps have been drained, gardens planted, and villas built, until now the once barren heights vie in beauty with the grass-grown slopes of the hills at the foot of which in the shade of great trees nestle pleasant little fisher hamlets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the mouth of the great river of Canton lies a maze of islands large and small, of which the most important is Hongkong on account of its fine harbor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then it was little more than a barren rock with a low swampy shore on which were a few villages inhabited by poor fisher folk.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Two Young Friends.
