used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
AtheniansnounUS /əˈθiːniənz/
plural of “athenian” — a resident of Athens
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
clarionverbUS /ˈkleriən/
blow the clarion
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
FelicianounUS /fəˈliːʃə/
genus of tropical African herbs or subshrubs with usually blue flowers
From this reading Felicia Hemans.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
forksnounUS /fɔːrks/
plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
Hemans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Felicia Hemans.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
LeonidasnounUS /liˈɔːnɪdəz/
king of Sparta and hero of the battle of Thermopylae where he was killed by the Persians (died in 480 BC)
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
market-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
Oeroe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
Pausanias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
Platæa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
Pæan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
rejoicingnounUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪsɪŋ/
a feeling of great happiness
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
rungnounUS /rʌŋ/
a crosspiece between the legs of a chair
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
sacrificialadjectiveUS /ˌsækrəˈfɪʃəl/
used in or connected with a sacrifice
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading Pausanias, the Spartan leader, nephew of the brave Leonidas, conducted solemn sacrificial services.
SpartanadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrtən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Sparta or its people
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
SpartansnounUS /ˈspɑːrtənz/
plural of “spartan” — a resident of Sparta
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
strainsnounUS /streɪnz/
plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Their victory had seemed almost a miracle, for the Athenians and Spartans had begun a retreat to an island formed by two forks of the river Oeroe.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The market-place of Platæa was the scene of rejoicing over the victory of the Spartans.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
in or at the place that
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading “Here where the Persian clarion rung, And where the Spartan sword flashed high, And where the Pæan strains were sung, From year to year swelled on by liberty!”
