used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
BarcelonanounUS /ˌbɑːrsɪˈloʊnə/
a city in northeastern Spain on the Mediterranean; 2nd largest Spanish city and the largest port and commercial center; has been a center for radical political beliefs
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
bastionsnounUS /ˈbæstʃənz/
plural of “bastion” — a group that defends a principle
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
defensenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
defensesnounUS /dɪˈfensəz/
plural of “defense” — (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
disposableadjectiveUS /dɪˈspoʊzəbəl/
free or available for use or disposition
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
ditchnounUS /dɪtʃ/
a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
exceedingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋ/
far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
of great significance or value
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
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 Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
Montjuich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
as might be expected
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
Peterborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
populousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjələs/
densely populated
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
rampartnounUS /ˈræmpɑːrt/
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
having a supporting base
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
create by training and teaching
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
vastlyadverbUS /ˈvæstli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To hold them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train.
