used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
Blefuscu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
communicatedverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “communicate” — transmit information
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
consultedverbUS /kənˈsʌltəd/
past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
being one more than seven
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/
a native or inhabitant of Europe
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
glumguffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
hillocknounUS /ˈhɪlək/
a small natural hill
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
ten 10s
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
Lilliputnoun
a land imagined by Jonathan Swift that was inhabited by tiny people
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
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 It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
men-of-war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
used to form the superlative
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
and nothing more
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
seizingnounUS /ˈsiːzɪŋ/
small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
seventyadjectiveUS /ˈsevənti/
being ten more than sixty
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
spy-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of the strongest cables and bars of iron.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
viewedverbUS /vjuːd/
past form of “view” — deem to be
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading I consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs (about six feet of European measure).
in or at the place that
From this reading I walked toward the coast, where, lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the enemy’s fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed for seizing the enemy’s whole fleet.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The Empire of Blefuscu is an island parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide.
