Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading They looked, to a certain extent, upon their mission as a crusade.

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

brought together in one place

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end

From this reading They looked, to a certain extent, upon their mission as a crusade.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

being ten more than seventy

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

to come or go into

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading They looked, to a certain extent, upon their mission as a crusade.

plural of “fleet” — group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

the property being difficult or impossible to defeat

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading They looked, to a certain extent, upon their mission as a crusade.

obsolete terms for legal insanity

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

having a crew

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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 They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

the force of workers available

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading They looked, to a certain extent, upon their mission as a crusade.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

being in opposition or having an opponent

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

plural of “predecessor” — one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

the extended spatial location of something

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

with honesty

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

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

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Captain Drake and his men thought little of these things.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

soldiers collectively

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They looked, to a certain extent, upon their mission as a crusade.

precisely as stated

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

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

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

at the time that

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

in or at the place that

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.

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

From this reading They had many very large towns full of troops, and great fleets armed to carry the treasure which was collected there to Spain.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The success which had attended their predecessors had inspired the English sailors with a belief in their own invincibility, when opposed to the Spaniards.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It did seem almost like an act of madness that two vessels, which by the side of those of the Spaniards were mere cockleshells, manned in all by less than eighty men, should attempt to enter a region where they would be regarded, and rightly, as enemies, and where the hand of every man would be against them.