used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
betrayingverbUS /bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading CURIOUS MODES.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
enlargingverbUS /ɪnˈlɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “enlarge” — make larger
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
extremitynounUS /ekˈstreməti/
an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
an established custom
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
insertedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrtəd/
past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
LivingstonenounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋstoʊn/
Scottish missionary and explorer who discovered the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls (1813-1873)
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
engage in
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
MODESnounUS /moʊdz/
plural of “mode” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading CURIOUS MODES.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
mouthsnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
orificenounUS /ˈɔːrəfəs/
an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
salutationnoun
an act of honor or courteous recognition
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
ungainlyadjectiveUS /ənˈɡeɪnli/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading The lip then appeared drawn out beyond the extremity of the nose and gave the face a most ungainly appearance.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
vigornounUS /ˈvɪɡər/
forceful exertion
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
villagesnounUS /ˈvɪlədʒəz/
plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading The chief of another tribe remarked, "These women want to make their mouths like those of ducks."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
a Caucasian
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Livingstone says that among many tribes the mode of salutation was by clapping the hands; and whenever the white man appeared, parties of women came from the several villages, betraying much fear, and clapping the hands with renewed vigor whenever they were addressed.
Zambesi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the Zambesi River tribes were met, the women of which were in the habit of piercing the upper lip, and gradually enlarging the orifice until a shell could be inserted.
