used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
anew
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
move towards
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
challengedverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒd/
past form of “challenge” — take exception to
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
demandingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmændɪŋ/
requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
determiningadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜːrmənɪŋ/
having the power or quality of deciding
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
divisionsnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “division” — an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
emergenciesnounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsiz/
plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
an opposing military force
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
guard-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
head-quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
held or filled or in use
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
go across or through
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
Prescott's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
precisely, exactly
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
sentinelnounUS /ˈsentənəl/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding:
in or at that place or location
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The distance to the residence of the English General was about a mile.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were obliged, in order to reach the house, to pass the guard-house of the enemy, on the left, and on their right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The party was divided into five divisions: one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies.
which person or people
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard.
