used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
(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 No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
burghernounUS /ˈbɜːrɡər/
a citizen of an English borough
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
burghers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/
plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
cordonnounUS /ˈkɔːrdən/
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
erectedverbUS /ɪˈrektəd/
past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
exilesnounUS /ˈeɡzaɪlz/
plural of “exile” — a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
faminenounUS /ˈfæmən/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
garrisonedverbUS /ˈɡærəsənd/
past form of “garrison” — station (troops) in a fort or garrison
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
immediately past
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
LEYDENnounUS /ˈlaɪdən/
a city in the western Netherlands; residence of the Pilgrim Fathers for 11 years before they sailed for America in 1620
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
not any; not one
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
OrangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
on the contrary
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
redoubts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
except for; apart from
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
SIEGEnounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
sixty-twoadjective
being two more than sixty
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
having a supporting base
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
surroundverbUS /sərˈaʊnd/
extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Its defenders were few in number, there being no troops in the town save a small corps composed of exiles from other cities, and five companies of burgher guard.
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading They trusted to the courage of the burghers to hold the walls, and to the energy of the Prince of Orange to relieve them.
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 The walls, however, were strong, and it was famine rather than the foe that the citizens feared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading No less than sixty-two, including those left standing since the last siege, were erected and garrisoned, and the town was therefore cut off from all communication from without.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE SIEGE OF LEYDEN The Spaniards had no sooner appeared before Leyden than they set to work to surround it with a cordon of redoubts.
