used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
allegedadjectiveUS /əˈledʒd/
declared but not proved
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
BarbariansnounUS /bɑːrˈberiənz/
plural of “barbarian” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
commandersnounUS /kəˈmændərz/
plural of “commander” — an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
a person of German nationality
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
intercoursenounUS /ˈɪntərkɔːrs/
communication between individuals
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
justlyadverbUS /ˈdʒʌstli/
with honesty
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
immediately past
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
for more time
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
outermostadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtərmoʊst/
situated at the farthest possible point from a center
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
go across or through
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
PreparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
RomansnounUS /ˈroʊmənz/
a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
simultaneouslyadverbUS /ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli/
at the same instant
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
stationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
not in physical motion
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
carry out
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Preparations had been made so secretly that the commanders believed it possible to take the foe completely by surprise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
tradersnounUS /ˈtreɪdərz/
plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
precisely as stated
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
violationsnounUS /vaɪəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “violation” — a crime less serious than a felony
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For weeks not a German had been allowed to pass the guards on the very outermost line of Roman territory, which, it is true, had been greatly diminished in the course of the last three or four generations.
which person or people
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As we have seen, the Romans were still ignorant whether the Barbarians were aware of the bands approaching simultaneously from several directions to menace the inhabitants of the forest with destruction.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading The right of traffic at the stations on the southern shore had been withdrawn a still longer time, on the pretext of alleged violations of the conditions of such intercourse.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Roman traders had not ventured recently within the precincts occupied by neighbors who were justly irritated by such severity.
