used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
AfloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
AlexandrianounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændriə/
a town in Louisiana on the Red River
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
BabelnounUS /ˈbæbəl/
(Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
confined by bonds
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
a period of 100 years
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
ChinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
disembarking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
EGYPTnounUS /ˈiːdʒəpt/
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
filthyadjectiveUS /ˈfɪlθi/
disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
Forty-eightadjective
being eight more than forty
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
GULFnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
indescribablyadverb
to an inexpressible degree
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
insect-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
KettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
Koweitnoun
a seaport on the Persian Gulf and capital of Kuwait
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
MediterraneannounUS /ˌmedətərˈeɪniən/
the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
OvercrowdingverbUS /ˈoʊvərkraʊdɪŋ/
-ing form of “overcrowd” — cause to crowd together too much
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
PERSIANnounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
portalsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəlz/
plural of “portal” — a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
one of four equal parts
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
scareverbUS /sker/
cause fear in
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
sharknounUS /ʃɑːrk/
any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
small-pox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
SueznounUS /ˈsuːez/
a city in northeastern Egypt at the head of the Gulf of Suez and at the southern end of the Suez Canal
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading EGYPT TO THE PERSIAN GULF Afloat in an insect-house--Captain Kettle in command--Overcrowding and small-pox--The s.s.
in the direction of
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading _Tower of Babel_--A shark scare--Koweit.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The latter was a decrepit steamer, indescribably filthy, which had been running in the China trade for a quarter of a century.
transportnounUS /trænˈspɔːrt/
something that serves as a means of transportation
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Forty-eight hours after disembarking at Alexandria we were steaming down the Gulf of Suez on board a second transport bound for the Persian Gulf.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast than that between the vessel which brought us across the Mediterranean and the one that was now carrying us towards the portals of the Middle East.
