Chapter XV

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a line of units following one after another

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

made known or openly avowed

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

to or in any or all places

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

start firing a weapon

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

set up or found

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

only a very short time before

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

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 He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

the force of workers available

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

leave undone or leave out

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

not any; not one

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

and nothing more

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

To recall to mind.

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

in a serious manner

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

plural of “sharpshooter” — an athlete noted for accurate aim

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

declared as fact; explicitly stated

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

a request to be present

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

express a supposition

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

acceptance of despair

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

carry out

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

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

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

create by training and teaching

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

a province of northeastern South Africa originally inhabited by Africans who spoke Bantu; colonized by the Boers

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "But Joubert had planted his sharpshooters under cover everywhere round, and they opened their fire on the soldiers before they knew of their presence."

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading I suppose Colonel Anstruther hardly thought that the summons was seriously meant; at all events, there was no superior force visible, to which he would be unable to offer resistance, and he only replied by forming his men in column and desiring them to move on, but--"

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

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading It stated that war had been declared between the Republic of the Transvaal and England, and called on him to surrender his men and waggons.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

at the time that

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

which person or people

From this reading He was marching, with a number of waggons and 250 men, as Redgy said, along the road, his train being half a mile long, when, at a place called Bronker's Spruit, two Dutchmen rode up to him and handed him a paper, which was found to be a letter from Joubert, who calls himself the Boer General.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.

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

From this reading "Well, I suppose Colonel Anstruther didn't know that there was any chance of his being attacked,--didn't know, in fact, that any outbreak was likely to take place,--or his neglect of precautions would seem to be of a piece with what we remember.