used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
Abdool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
(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 "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
assailantsnounUS /əˈseɪlənts/
plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
circuitnounUS /ˈsɜːrkət/
an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
knollnounUS /noʊl/
a small natural hill
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
laddersnounUS /ˈlædərz/
plural of “ladder” — steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
the force of workers available
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
not any; not one
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
with low volume
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
stockadenounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪd/
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night and early morning passed quietly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
(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 "Well, I have no doubt we shall be able to beat them off.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The chatter of many voices showed that a portion, at any rate, of the assailants were beyond the stockade; but it was not until nine o'clock that numerous parties were seen coming from the forest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
which person or people
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We have as many men as we want for the circuit of the walls and, while we shall be partly sheltered, they will have to advance in the open."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I suppose they have been making ladders all night," Harry said to Abdool, who was with him on the wall; from which, owing to the fact that the house stood on a rising knoll of ground, which commanded a good view over the stockade, the assailants could be seen.
