Chapter XVII

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

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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 He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

later than; following

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

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

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

react verbally

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

plural of “arab” — 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 He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

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

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a person who is in charge

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

plural of “compatriot” — a person from your own country

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

plural of “donkey” — the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

a government order imposing a trade barrier

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

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

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

plural of “european” — a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

apart from; not including

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

an organization formed by merging several groups or parties

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

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

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

a person of German nationality

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

doubt about the truth of something

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

a port city in western Kenya on the northeastern shore of Lake Victoria; fishing and trading center

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

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 The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

with modesty; in a modest manner

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

not any; not one

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

in a northern direction

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

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

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

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

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

plural of “pike” — a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

existing in great number or quantity

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

with speed

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

in the recent past

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

plural of “sample” — a small part of something intended as representative of the whole

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

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

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

male cat

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

possessive form of “tom” — male cat

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

plural of “village” — a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

in essence or effect but not in fact

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.

migratory

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

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

From this reading He heard Tom’s story, modestly told as it was, with mingled amazement and incredulity.

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

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading He had heard nothing whatever of the fate of Major Burnaby’s expedition, and could not answer Tom’s eager enquiries for his friends; indeed, he had met no Europeans except his own compatriots since he left Kisumu.

which person or people

From this reading He had for the most part confined himself to the villages in the vicinity of the Victoria Nyanza; but having heard rumours of a large body of Arabs who were in possession of plentiful stores of ivory, he had recently left German East Africa and come rapidly northwards.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

a late time of life

From this reading The Making of an Army An Embargo--Federation--Gunpowder--An Object-Lesson--The Great Palaver--After Many Years--Pikes--The Call to Arms In the exchange of confidences Herr Schwab informed Tom that he had been for several months wandering about with his donkeys and his samples, booking orders for his firm.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But there was no gainsaying the fact that the young Englishman was virtually chief of a large Bahima village, and Schwab was not the man to lose any opportunity for trade.