used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
alarmistnounUS /əˈlɑːrməst/
a person who alarms others needlessly
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
(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 Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
BellesnounUS /belz/
plural of “belle” — a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
Brett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
fermentnounUS /fərˈment/
a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
Gros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
internationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/
concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
immediately past
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
Macpherson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
myrmidonsnounUS /ˈmɜːrmɪdɪnz/
plural of “myrmidon” — a follower who carries out orders without question
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
not any; not one
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
pacifyverbUS /ˈpæsəfaɪ/
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
PalermonounUS /pəˈlermoʊ/
the capital of Sicily; located in northwestern Sicily; an important port for 3000 years
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
a human being
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
PIECINGverbUS /ˈpiːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “piece” — to join or unite the pieces of
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
PUZZLEverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
revolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
Soeurs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
confined on all sides
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
TalbotnounUS /ˈtælbət/
English inventor and pioneer in photography who published the first book illustrated with photographs (1800-1877)
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
TurksnounUS /tɜːrks/
plural of “turk” — a native or inhabitant of Turkey
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
turmoilnounUS /ˈtɜːrmɔɪl/
a violent disturbance
From this reading Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to ascertain the cause of all this turmoil.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
warfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading The first alarmist report that reached his ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the harbour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PIECING THE PUZZLE Palermo was in a perfect ferment.
at the time that
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
in the company of; together with
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not since the last revolution had people seen such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the _Belles Soeurs_ would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
people who are wounded
From this reading An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived with their wounded prisoner.
