used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
(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 "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
AmericansnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
a female human offspring
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
DetroitnounUS /dɪˈtrɔɪt/
the largest city in Michigan and a major Great Lakes port; center of the United States automobile industry; located in southeastern Michigan on the Detroit river across from Windsor
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
having made preparations
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
one or the other of two
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
start firing a weapon
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
HullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
imbecilenounUS /ˈɪmbəsəl/
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
the force of workers available
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
MillernounUS /ˈmɪlər/
United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
not any; not one
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
be obedient to
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
on one occasion
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
patrioticadjectiveUS /ˌpeɪtriˈɑːtɪk/
inspired by love for your country
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
Raymond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
refrainverbUS /rɪˈfreɪn/
resist doing something
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
resumeverbUS /rɪˈzuːm/
take up or begin anew
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
not in physical motion
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading For a moment Captain Raymond seemed lost in thought.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
traitornounUS /ˈtreɪtər/
someone who betrays his country by committing treason
From this reading They began to think he was either a traitor or an imbecile, and by no means fit to have the command.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a question from his daughter Elsie that caused him to resume the thread of his narrative.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
at the time that
From this reading "Papa," she asked, "had the British got their guns all ready to fire at the Americans when Colonel Miller and his men got back to Detroit? and did they begin at once?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "No; the British were still busy with their preparations, with which General Hull did not seem disposed to interfere; and it was hard indeed for his brave, patriotic officers to obey his orders to refrain from doing so.
