used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
anew
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
Brenda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
burghers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
defyverbUS /dɪˈfaɪ/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
diminutiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/
very small
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
dispensedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspenst/
distributed or weighted out in carefully determined portions
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
farmersnounUS /ˈfɑːrmərz/
plural of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
set up or found
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
franchisenounUS /ˈfræntʃaɪz/
an authorization to sell a company's goods or services in a particular place
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
hintsnounUS /hɪnts/
plural of “hint” — an indirect suggestion
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
intriguedverbUS /ˈɪntriɡd/
past form of “intrigue” — cause to be interested or curious
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
KrugernounUS /ˈkruːɡər/
Boer statesman (1825-1904)
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
Leyds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
manufacturedadjectiveUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərd/
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
NegotiationsnounUS /nəˌɡoʊʃiˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “negotiation” — a discussion intended to produce an agreement
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
netsnounUS /nets/
plural of “net” — a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
plotsnounUS /plɑːts/
plural of “plot” — a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
PretorianounUS /priˈtɔːriə/
city in the Transvaal; the seat of the executive branch of the government of South Africa
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
RepublicsnounUS /riˈpʌblɪks/
plural of “republic” — a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
TransvaalnounUS /trænzˈvɑːl/
a province of northeastern South Africa originally inhabited by Africans who spoke Bantu; colonized by the Boers
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
Uitlanders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
uproarnounUS /ˈʌprɔːr/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So Brenda was in London again, and found the great city in an uproar over the possibility of a war in South Africa.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
weavingnounUS /ˈwiːvɪŋ/
creating fabric
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Negotiations were constantly passing between England and the Transvaal concerning the franchise for the Uitlanders.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
which person or people
From this reading But there were others who knew from rumors and hints that real strength lay behind the apparent weakness of those two diminutive Republics.
in the company of; together with
From this reading History was being manufactured at the rate of a sensation a week; Leyds was weaving his plots and spreading his nets in Europe; while at Pretoria Paul Kruger numbered his burghers, dispensed arms, and intrigued with the President of the Free State.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Few believed that a war was inevitable, that a small state of farmers would defy a mighty empire.
