Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

confined by bonds

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

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

From this reading The guarding was of the strangest and cruellest.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

prudent

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

-ing form of “guard” — to keep watch over

From this reading The guarding was of the strangest and cruellest.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

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

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

failing to make or recognize distinctions

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

march in a procession

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

and nothing more

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

killed unlawfully

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

completely unclothed

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

at an earlier time or formerly

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

the killing of animals (as for food)

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The guarding was of the strangest and cruellest.

having only essential or minimal features

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

plural of “survivor” — one who lives through affliction

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

bound or secured closely

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Next day the survivors were tied together in couples and driven off the ground like a herd of cattle.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

Scottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

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

From this reading The guarding was of the strangest and cruellest.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The prisoners were made to lie flat down on the ground--many of them having been previously stripped nearly naked; and if any of them ventured to change their positions, or raise their heads to implore a draught of water, they were instantly shot.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

in or at the place that

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

which person or people

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Will Wallace stood awaiting his turn, and watching the first band of prisoners march off.

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

From this reading At an earlier part of the evening he would certainly have been murdered on the spot, but by that time the royalists were probably tired of indiscriminate slaughter, for they merely bound his arms and led him to a spot where those Covenanters who had been taken prisoners were guarded.