Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

(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 They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The winter passed, indeed, without any further movement.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

have

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

plural of “briton” — a native or inhabitant of Great Britain

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

slightly wet

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

plural of “damp” — a slight wetness

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

plural of “fog” — droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The winter passed, indeed, without any further movement.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

to a considerable degree

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

ten 10s

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The winter passed, indeed, without any further movement.

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 They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

plural of “legionary” — a soldier who is a member of a legion (especially the French Foreign Legion)

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

the force of workers available

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

not any; not one

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

on one occasion

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

in other respects or ways

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The winter passed, indeed, without any further movement.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

restored to a new condition

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

people who have retreated

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

Identical; not different.

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

only a very short time before

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

in the near future

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Britons soon discovered that the Romans had retreated, but made no movement in pursuit.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

in or at that place or location

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

not drained

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

(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 They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

at the time that

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

during the time that

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The Britons suffered to some extent from the damps; but as the whole country was undrained, and for the most part covered with forest, they were accustomed to a damp laden atmosphere, and so supported the fogs of the Fens far better than they would otherwise have done.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The winter passed, indeed, without any further movement.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They knew that the legionaries once in open ground were more than their match, and they were well content with the success they had gained.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The winter passed, indeed, without any further movement.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading They had lost in all but four hundred men, while they were certain that the Romans had suffered much more heavily, and that there was but little chance of the attack being renewed in the same manner, for if their progress was so slow when they had frost to aid them, what chance would they have when there was scarce a foot of land that could bear their weight?