1909
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
AFRICAnounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
basinnounUS /ˈbeɪsən/
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
put or send forth
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
colonynounUS /ˈkɑːləni/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
characterized by great determination
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
directingadjectiveUS /dərˈektɪŋ/
showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
excursionsnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒənz/
plural of “excursion” — a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
exploreverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːr/
inquire into
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
set up or found
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
FreetownnounUS /ˈfriːtaʊn/
port city and the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
furloughverbUS /ˈfɜːrloʊ/
dismiss, usually for economic reasons
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
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 AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
insurmountableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbəl/
not capable of being surmounted or overcome
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
immediately past
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
go away from a place
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
LeonenounUS /liˈoʊn/
the basic unit of money in Sierra Leone; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
NigernounUS /ˈnaɪdʒər/
an African river; flows into the South Atlantic
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
many times at short intervals
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
PreparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
quartered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
RailwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
ramificationsnounUS /ˌræməfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “ramification” — the act of branching out or dividing into branches
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
SelectingverbUS /səˈlektɪŋ/
-ing form of “select” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
SierranounUS /siˈerə/
a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
soldieringnounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərɪŋ/
skills that are required for the life of soldier
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Reasons for the journey — Selecting a servant — Preparations — The Sierra Leone Railway.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
Timbuctu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
in the direction of
From this reading I determined to spend my furlough in a journey down the river from its source, making shooting excursions at suitable points in its basin, and directing my steps towards Timbuctu.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
the topmost one of two
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
at the time that
From this reading My chance came at last, however, when I found myself quartered at Freetown, the capital of our British colony of Sierra Leone, and due for six months’ leave.
which person or people
From this reading AFRICA, like India, seems often to cast a spell over those who visit it, and certainly at the end of 1909 I found myself under this curious fascination.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
a late time of life
From this reading I had spent some years soldiering in West Africa, and had often wished to explore the ramifications of the Upper and Middle Niger, but the difficulty of obtaining sufficient leave had been an insurmountable obstacle.
