used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
clutchedverbUS /klʌtʃt/
past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
defensiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensɪv/
intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
densestadjectiveUS /ˈdensəst/
superlative of “dense” — permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
one or the other of two
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading To McGowan especially this was exceedingly galling.
to an extreme degree
From this reading To McGowan especially this was exceedingly galling.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
gallingadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːlɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading To McGowan especially this was exceedingly galling.
genuinelyadverbUS /ˈdʒenjəwənli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
the act of departing
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
HuddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
McGowan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To McGowan especially this was exceedingly galling.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
offensiveadjectiveUS /əˈfensɪv/
violating or tending to violate or offend against
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
on one occasion
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
persecutingverbUS /ˈpɜːrsɪkjuːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “persecute” — cause to suffer
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
redskinsnounUS /ˈredskɪnz/
plural of “redskin” — (slang) offensive term for Native Americans
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
resolveverbUS /riˈzɑːlv/
bring to an end; settle conclusively
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
be seated
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
not in physical motion
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
strifenounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there were more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To McGowan especially this was exceedingly galling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
tumultnounUS /ˈtuːməlt/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the fitful tumult of deadly strife was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Strong, ambitious and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were the little band of fugitives.
