Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

plural of “administrator” — someone who administers a business

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

matters of personal concern

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

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

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

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

From this reading And, generally speaking, I hold to that opinion.

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

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

past form of “arrest” — take into custody

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

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

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

for the reason that

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

3rd largest island in the world; in the western Pacific to the north of Java; largely covered by dense jungle and rain forest; part of the Malay Archipelago

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

in a vicious manner

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

plural of “commandment” — something that is commanded

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

carefully weighed

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

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

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

made known (especially something secret or concealed)

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

conceived of or imagined or hoped for

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

plural of “englishman” — a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

have an existence, be extant

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

usually; as a rule

From this reading And, generally speaking, I hold to that opinion.

possessive form of “germany” — a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

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

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading And, generally speaking, I hold to that opinion.

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

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

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

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

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

-ing form of “mistreat” — treat badly

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

a republic on the southeastern coast of Africa on the Mozambique Channel; became independent from Portugal in 1975

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

disregarded

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

not any; not one

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading And, generally speaking, I hold to that opinion.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

above and across; more than

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

plural of “possession” — the act of having and controlling property

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

on the contrary

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

located far away spatially

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

cut with a saw

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading And, generally speaking, I hold to that opinion.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And, generally speaking, I hold to that opinion.

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

a special situation

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

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

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

up to a particular time

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

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

From this reading It was not the iniquitous character of the administration which surprised me, for I had seen the effects of bad colonial administration in other distant lands--in Mozambique, for example, and in Germany's former African possessions--but rather that such an administration should be carried on by Englishmen, by Anglo-Saxons.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

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

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

in or at the place that

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

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

From this reading But what I saw and heard in that remote and neglected corner of the Empire disclosed a state of affairs which I had not dreamed could exist in any land over which flies the British flag.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading "WHERE THERE AIN'T NO TEN COMMANDMENTS" Until I went to British North Borneo I had considered the British the best colonial administrators in the world.

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

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Were you to read in your morning paper that an ignorant alien had been arrested for brutally mistreating one of his children you would not be particularly surprised, because that is the sort of thing that might be expected from such a man.