used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading With shouts of triumph, the Hessians burst in.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
an opposing military force
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
Hessians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
immediately past
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
the force of workers available
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
outnumberedverbUS /ˌaʊtˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “outnumber” — be larger in number
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
done under pressure
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading With shouts of triumph, the Hessians burst in.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
StaunchlyadverbUS /ˈstɔːntʃli/
in a staunch manner
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
not in physical motion
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading With shouts of triumph, the Hessians burst in.
troopersnounUS /ˈtruːpərz/
plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
precisely as stated
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
Walter'snounUS /ˈwɔːltərz/
possessive form of “walter” — German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.
which person or people
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
