used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
account-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
adventurousadjectiveUS /ædˈventʃərəs/
willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
the two together, not just one
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
cargoesnounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊz/
plural of “cargo” — goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
coastsnounUS /koʊsts/
plural of “coast” — the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
consignments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
contrabandadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntrəbænd/
distributed or sold illicitly
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
CustomsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
debtsnounUS /dets/
plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
faminenounUS /ˈfæmən/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
set up or found
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
freighternounUS /ˈfreɪtər/
a cargo ship
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
groceriesnounUS /ˈɡroʊsəriz/
plural of “grocery” — a marketplace where groceries are sold
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
a small worthless amount
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
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 HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
used to form the superlative
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
negotiatingverbUS /nɪˈɡoʊʃieɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “negotiate” — discuss the terms of an arrangement
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
not any; not one
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
portsnounUS /pɔːrts/
plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
pricesnounUS /ˈpraɪsəz/
plural of “price” — the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
procuredverbUS /proʊˈkjʊrd/
past form of “procure” — get by special effort
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
profitsnounUS /ˈprɑːfɪts/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
providingverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
Rattenbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
salesnounUS /seɪlz/
income (at invoice values) received for goods and services over some given period of time
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
sugarnounUS /ˈʃʊɡər/
a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOUSE AND HOME Jack Rattenbury found that a good many bills descended on him after his father's funeral.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
transactionsnounUS /trænˈzækʃənz/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So long as sugar was at famine prices in France, and large profits could be made on spirits and tea in England, the contraband trade attracted to it the most adventurous on the coasts.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading To the French ports he had despatched West Indian groceries procured in England, and from France he had received consignments of brandy.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading And in both transactions the goods had been run without regard to Customs duties.
a late time of life
From this reading He had no means of checking them, as he had not come on any account-book, but he had little doubt that the debts had really been contracted, for they revealed that the captain had been engaged in an extensive business as 'freighter'; not for some years taking any part in the active carriage of goods, but providing the cargoes and negotiating the sales.
