Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

later than; following

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

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

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

any person at all

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

move towards

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

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

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

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

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

with brightness

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

the act of burning something

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

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

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

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

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

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

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

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

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

immediately past

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

the act of departing

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

the force of workers available

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

only a very short time before

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

carry out

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

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

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

a special situation

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

up to a particular time

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

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

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

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

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

look attentively

From this reading It was possible, although very improbable, that the natives, on scattering before the charge of Mr. Blount and his companions, might have left some of their number behind, to watch the movements of their pursuers.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

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

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The fire had been piled high, the last thing before leaving, and the two men left there were told to keep it burning brightly till morning, and to start before anyone watching in the distance would be able to see whether the horses were mounted, or not.

plural of “white” — a Caucasian

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Should any natives approach the fire, after they had gone, they would take it for granted that the whole party had ridden back to the settlement.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Scarce a word was spoken as the little party marched along.

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

From this reading They would, however, certainly not anticipate the whites pushing forward that night.