Chapter II

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

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

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

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

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

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

surrounded by hostile forces

From this reading BESIEGED.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

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

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

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

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

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

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

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

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

not any; not one

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

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 Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

carry out

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

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

From this reading Although living on the frontier so far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked by savages.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

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

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

experiencing intense pain especially mental pain

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

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

From this reading This kind of warfare was new to me.

in or at the place that

From this reading My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.

a Caucasian

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.

which person or people

From this reading Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man seized upon it.