used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
Boonesborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
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 One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
assemble or get together
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
Harrodsburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
intimationnounUS /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃən/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
a boy or man
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
something that is lost
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
engage in
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
march in a procession
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
make reference to
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
RaynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
strongholdnounUS /ˈstrɔːŋhoʊld/
a strongly fortified defensive structure
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At about the same time a movement was made against Boonesborough, but there was small chance of that stronghold being taken by surprise.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
unawaresadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈwerz/
without forethought or plan; inadvertently
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During March an attack was projected against Harrodsburg.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
whitesnounUS /waɪts/
plural of “white” — a Caucasian
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
which person or people
From this reading About four miles from that place the Indians came unawares upon a small party of whites, who were engaged in making a new settlement.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One of these was killed and another taken prisoner, whilst a lad named James Ray, whom we shall have further occasion to mention, contrived to make his escape and warn the settlers at the station.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This intimation of approaching enemies, although it gave scanty time for preparation, enabled the defenders to gather their entire number within the fort and to beat off the Indians without any loss to themselves.
