Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

in the past

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

a state in northwestern North America; the 49th state admitted to the union

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a member of the people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands and southwestern Alaska

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

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

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

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

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

the shore of a sea or ocean

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

plural of “empty” — a container that has been emptied

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

able to communicate in English

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

having a debilitating effect

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

to the greatest distance in space or time (“farthest” is used more often than “furthest” in this physical sense)

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

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 They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

plural of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

situated in or oriented toward the northwest

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

make less visible or unclear

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

above and across; more than

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

almost; nearly

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a major port of entry and the largest city in Washington

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

transport commercially

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

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

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

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

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

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

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

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

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

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

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

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

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

work hard

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

plural of “trip” — a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

not known

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

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

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

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

From this reading The passengers on this boat were not distinguished citizens, nor fair to look upon.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

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

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading They were roughly dressed, and some of them were pale and worn as if with long sickness or exhausting toil.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading COMING OF THE SHIPS I A little over a year ago a small steamer swung to at a Seattle wharf, and emptied a flood of eager passengers upon the dock.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet this ship and these passengers startled the whole English-speaking world.

a North American river that flows westward from the Yukon Territory through central Alaska to the Bering Sea

From this reading It was an obscure craft, making infrequent trips round the Aleutian Islands (which form the farthest western point of the United States) to the mouth of a practically unknown river called the Yukon, which empties into the ocean near the post of St. Michaels, on the northwestern coast of Alaska.