used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
aimedverbUS /eɪmd/
past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
armiesnounUS /ˈɑːrmiz/
plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
arrownounUS /ˈæroʊ/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
the two together, not just one
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
true confidential information
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
flanknounUS /flæŋk/
the side of military or naval formation
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
frayverbUS /freɪ/
wear away by rubbing
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
ten 10s
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
manoeuvres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
Morin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
in motion
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
mêlée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
not any; not one
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
a brief written record
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
not in physical motion
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
carry out
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
telescopesnounUS /ˈteləskoʊps/
plural of “telescope” — a magnifier of images of distant objects
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "We are too far off!" de Morin persisted in saying.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
soldiers collectively
From this reading But if by means of our telescopes, we could follow the movements of the troops, take account of their manoeuvres, and distinguish them in the mass, all the details of the battle escaped us.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading We were looking down upon a _mêlée_ on a large scale, but we could take no note of the curious incidents of the fray.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
venturingverbUS /ˈventʃərɪŋ/
-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was in such a state of excitement that he could not keep still, but was continually moving about and venturing into the open.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
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 In the retreat we had chosen, on the flank, and about three hundred yards from both armies, no arrow, however badly aimed, could reach us, protected as we were by spreading, lofty trees.
