used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
eagerly desirous
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
not accessible to view
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
ConfederatesnounUS /kənˈfedərəts/
plural of “confederate” — a supporter of the Confederate States of America
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
DexteradjectiveUS /ˈdekstər/
on or starting from the wearer's right
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
Duff's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
an opposing military force
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
forty-eightadjective
being eight more than forty
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
KnoxnounUS /nɑːks/
Scottish theologian who founded Presbyterianism in Scotland and wrote a history of the Reformation in Scotland (1514-1572)
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
LYONnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
a city in east-central France on the Rhone River; a principal producer of silk and rayon
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
MAJORadjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
not any; not one
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
PLAYSnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
sharpshootersnounUS /ˈʃɑːrpʃuːtərz/
plural of “sharpshooter” — an athlete noted for accurate aim
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
refrain from harming
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
SPYverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
except if; if not
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
precisely as stated
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY Major Dexter Lyon had made up his mind that a portion of the hostile sharpshooters were concealed upon the narrow island in the centre of the stream known as Duff's Claim.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The major was very anxious to know what the sharpshooters were doing in this vicinity.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading No Union force had been in the neighborhood for forty-eight hours, and why should the enemy send such expert shots to such a spot unless it was known that they were wanted?
woodedadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdɪd/
covered with growing trees and bushes etc
From this reading Several shots had been fired, and both he and Life Knox had come to the conclusion that these had come from the heavily wooded strip of land.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Surely the Confederates had no sharpshooters to spare on a mere excursion into these woods.
