used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the extermination of the whiskey-trader they directed a special campaign.
(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 Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
blissfullyadverbUS /ˈblɪsfəli/
in a blissful manner
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
campaignnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading To the extermination of the whiskey-trader they directed a special campaign.
carbines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
confiscatedverbUS /ˈkɑːnfəskeɪtəd/
past form of “confiscate” — take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
the first light of day
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading To the extermination of the whiskey-trader they directed a special campaign.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
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 I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
exterminationnounUS /ɪkˌstɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
complete annihilation
From this reading To the extermination of the whiskey-trader they directed a special campaign.
flurrynounUS /ˈflɜːri/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading The most powerful of their foes was the whiskey-trader.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
only a very short time before
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
levelledverbUS /ˈlevəld/
inflected form of “level” — aim at
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
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 A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The most powerful of their foes was the whiskey-trader.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
participate in games or sport
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading The most powerful of their foes was the whiskey-trader.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
programmenounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/
an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
raidverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
scoutingnounUS /ˈskaʊtɪŋ/
exploring in order to gain information
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading To the extermination of the whiskey-trader they directed a special campaign.
spoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
surroundverbUS /sərˈaʊnd/
extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
swoopnounUS /swuːp/
(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The most powerful of their foes was the whiskey-trader.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading A long ride through solitary darkness, a careful bit of scouting to surround the blissfully ignorant camp, a sudden swoop at dawn with levelled carbines and sometimes with a flurry of resistance; the guilty parties taken, the robes and liquor confiscated--thus went the programme.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the extermination of the whiskey-trader they directed a special campaign.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
at the time that
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
whiskey-trader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most powerful of their foes was the whiskey-trader.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hardly a day went by through all the winter which did not see an expedition starting out to raid some distant outfit or returning with prisoners and spoil.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading I But there was more work than play for the Police in those early days, when they were striking at the roots of disorder.
