used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
ApachenounUS /əˈpætʃi/
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 The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
carefully weighed
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
having made preparations
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
one or the other of two
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
an opposing military force
From this reading FRIEND OR ENEMY?
the act of escaping physically
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading FRIEND OR ENEMY?
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
hand-to-handadjective
being at close quarters
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
interferences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
IrishmannounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
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 Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
lastingadjectiveUS /ˈlæstɪŋ/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
MickeynounUS /ˈmɪki/
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading FRIEND OR ENEMY?
by chance
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
providentialadjectiveUS /ˌprɑːvəˈdenʃəl/
peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
only a very short time before
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
summarynounUS /ˈsʌməri/
a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
a special situation
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It can scarcely be said that either of the fugitives had any definite hope of escape, for neither was able to see how the thing was possible.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
which person or people
From this reading The summary manner in which the Irishman disposed of the first Apache who showed himself brought matters to a standstill.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Mickey knew that occasionally, in the affairs of the world, seemingly providential interferences had occurred, but he looked for nothing of the kind.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He considered that there would be a siege, lasting perhaps several days, then a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, and then.
