used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
ApachesnounUS /əˈpætʃiz/
plural of “apache” — any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading THE ATTACK ON THE PRESIDIO.
BarnumnounUS /ˈbɑːrnəm/
United States showman who popularized the circus (1810-1891)
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
campaignnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
chiefsnounUS /tʃiːfs/
plural of “chief” — a person who is in charge
From this reading "What do you require, chiefs?
conferverbUS /kənˈfɜːr/
have a conference in order to talk something over
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
defendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈfendɪŋ/
attempting to or designed to prevent an opponent from winning or scoring
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you require, chiefs?
earshotnounUS /ˈɪrʃɑːt/
the range within which a voice can be heard
From this reading When he had got within earshot, he halted.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
ensueverbUS /ɪnˈsuː/
issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When he had got within earshot, he halted.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When he had got within earshot, he halted.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading When he had got within earshot, he halted.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
interpreternounUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrprətər/
someone who mediates between speakers of different languages
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
not any; not one
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
many times at short intervals
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE ATTACK ON THE PRESIDIO.
PRESIDIOnounUS /prɪˈsɪdioʊ/
a fortress established in the southwestern United States by the Spanish in order to protect their missions and other holdings
From this reading THE ATTACK ON THE PRESIDIO.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading "What do you require, chiefs?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
carry out
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ATTACK ON THE PRESIDIO.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
unarmedadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːrmd/
(used of persons or the military) not having or using arms
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you require, chiefs?
at the time that
From this reading When he had got within earshot, he halted.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As in his former campaign he had often had occasion to confer with the Apaches, he had learnt enough of their language to need no interpreter.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading When he had got within earshot, he halted.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Major Barnum was unarmed; he was offering up his life, and would not take his sword, that he might have no pretext for defending himself should a conflict ensue, as would probably be the case.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What do you require, chiefs?
