used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
AsianounUS /ˈeɪʒə/
the largest continent with 60% of the earth's population; it is joined to Europe on the west to form Eurasia; it is the site of some of the world's earliest civilizations
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
AsiannounUS /ˈeɪʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Asia
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
disembarkationnounUS /dɪˌsembɑːrˈkeɪʃən/
the act of passengers and crew getting off of a ship or aircraft
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
eastwardadjectiveUS /ˈiːstwərd/
moving toward the east
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
being one more than seven
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
GRANĪCUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
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 A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
leadersnounUS /ˈliːdərz/
the body of people who lead a group
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
engage in
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
massedverbUS /mæst/
past form of “mass” — join together into a mass or collect or form a mass
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
bring forth or yield
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
only a very short time before
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
spiesnounUS /spaɪz/
plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
supineness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE GRANĪCUS The army now marched slowly eastward, covering scarcely eight miles a day.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
timidlyadverbUS /ˈtɪmədli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
which person or people
From this reading Alexander was not commonly a general who spared his troops; but he was, for the present, almost timidly careful of them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He wanted to fight his first battle with every advantage on his side; a victory would produce an immense impression in Western Asia, a check on the other hand would be almost fatal.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A large Persian force had, as he knew from his spies, been massed for several weeks within striking distance of his point of disembarkation.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Thanks to the supineness or pride of the Persian leaders, he had been allowed to make good his footing on Asian soil without opposition; but he would not be suffered, he knew perfectly well, to advance without having to force his way.
