used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
aidsnounUS /eɪdz/
a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
(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 Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
breachverbUS /briːtʃ/
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
cannonading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
Casa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
Cereso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
Coso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
decreasedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
Escobar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
apart from; not including
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
incontestableadjective
incapable of being contested or disputed
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
José
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
Leiva
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
Montoria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
held or filled or in use
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
patriotsnounUS /ˈpeɪtriəts/
plural of “patriot” — one who loves and defends his or her country
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
Pidrafita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
Saragossans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
SasnounUS /sæs/
a specialist regiment of the British army that is trained in commando techniques of warfare and used in clandestine operations (especially against terrorist groups)
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Cereso, Sas, La Casa, Pidrafita, Escobar, Leiva, Don José de Montoria,--all these good patriots hastened to be among them.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
precisely as stated
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That vast edifice, situated in the middle of the Coso, gave an incontestable superiority to the side which occupied it.
which person or people
From this reading As the number of soldiers was now greatly decreased, a large number of leading citizens, who until then had not served except as aids, took up arms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The French began cannonading it very early, with the intention of opening a breach for the assault; and the Saragossans transferred thither the greater part of their forces to defend it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The possession of San Francisco would decide the fate of the city.
