used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
in the past
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
Alva's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
archaicadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈkeɪɪk/
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
besiegedadjectiveUS /bɪˈsiːdʒd/
surrounded by hostile forces
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
bivouacnounUS /ˈbɪvwæk/
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
lacking funds
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
conveyverbUS /kənˈveɪ/
(of information) make known; pass on
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
crescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
the first light of day
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
low-lyingadjective
having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
the force of workers available
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
OrangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
provokeverbUS /prəˈvoʊk/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
rebelliousadjectiveUS /rɪˈbeljəs/
resisting control or authority
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
relyingverbUS /riˈlaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
not in physical motion
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
sultryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌltri/
sexually exciting or gratifying
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading To the south the bivouac fires of Alva’s camp had died out one by one, and here the measured tread of the sentinels on their beat alone broke the silence of the night.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It lacked two hours before the dawn on this sultry night early in September.
undisciplinedadjectiveUS /ənˈdɪsɪplɪnd/
not subjected to discipline
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
unpaidadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪd/
not paid
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
the act of using
From this reading several passages in this book use "f" for "s" to convey the archaic long "s" as "f".]
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
valorousadjective
having or showing valor
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The crescent moon had long ago sunk behind a bank of clouds in the west, and not a sound stirred the low-lying land around the besieged city.
in or at the place that
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To the north, where valorous Orange with a handful of men--undisciplined, unpaid and rebellious--vainly tried to provoke his powerful foe into a pitched battle, relying on God for the result, there was greater silence still.
