used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
Alvarado
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
besiegedadjectiveUS /bɪˈsiːdʒd/
surrounded by hostile forces
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
brigantines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Cortes was greatly startled by these sad tidings.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
CortesnounUS /ˌkɔːrˈtez/
Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico (1485-1547)
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
couriernounUS /ˈkɜːriər/
a person who carries a message
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
cursesnounUS /ˈkɜːrsɪz/
plural of “curse” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
the act of departing
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Cortes was greatly startled by these sad tidings.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
heapingverbUS /ˈhiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
messengersnounUS /ˈmesəndʒərz/
plural of “messenger” — a person who carries a message
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
MexicansnounUS /ˈmeksɪkənz/
plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
rashnessnoun
the trait of acting rashly and without prudence
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading Cortes was greatly startled by these sad tidings.
only a very short time before
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Cortes was greatly startled by these sad tidings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Cortes was greatly startled by these sad tidings.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He knew that the force of Alvarado, though brave, was small, and instantly commenced preparations for his departure.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading Cortes was greatly startled by these sad tidings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In the midst of these, two other messengers arrived, heaping curses upon Alvarado, declaring that his rashness and folly alone had brought about this disaster.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
at the time that
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Mexicans had risen in the capital; two brigantines, which Cortes had built to command the lake, were destroyed,--seven Spaniards had been killed,--and Alvarado was now closely besieged in his quarters.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading SCARCELY was the victory won, when a courier arrived in hot haste from Alvarado.
