used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
catsnounUS /kæts/
plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
devouredverbUS /dɪˈvaʊərd/
past form of “devour” — destroy completely
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
diseasesnounUS /dɪˈziːzəz/
plural of “disease” — an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
doled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
divisible by two
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
extremitiesnounUS /ekˈstremətiz/
plural of “extremity” — an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
faminenounUS /ˈfæmən/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
feversnounUS /ˈfiːvərz/
plural of “fever” — a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
greedilyadverbUS /ˈɡriːdəli/
in a greedy manner
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
Horse-flesh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
loathingnounUS /ˈloʊθɪŋ/
hate coupled with disgust
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
loathsomeadjectiveUS /ˈloʊðsəm/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
Macpherson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
magazinesnounUS /ˈmæɡəziːnz/
plural of “magazine” — a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
multitudesnounUS /ˈmʌltətjuːdz/
plural of “multitude” — a large indefinite number
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
outpostsnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊsts/
plural of “outpost” — a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
provisionsnounUS /prəˈvɪʒənz/
a stock or supply of foods
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
PutridadjectiveUS /ˈpjuːtrɪd/
of or relating to or attended by putrefaction
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
repellingadjectiveUS /rəˈpelɪŋ/
highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
sparingadjectiveUS /ˈsperɪŋ/
avoiding waste
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
tallownounUS /ˈtæloʊ/
obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
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 Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Horse-flesh was almost becoming a luxury, dogs, rats, and cats were greedily devoured, and even of these the supply was beginning to fail.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
at the time that
From this reading Macpherson died toward the end of the second week in July, when the city had already begun to suffer the dire extremities of famine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Putrid fevers had broken out which carried off multitudes; loathsome diseases of the skin grew common, and even the strongest began to find it hard to draw themselves to the walls or to help in repelling the frequent attacks on the outposts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The provisions in the magazines were almost exhausted; the meal and the tallow were doled out with a sparing hand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Already the citizens had begun to live upon food that at other times they would have turned from in disgust and loathing.
