used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RAY OF HOPE.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
(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 In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
lacking funds
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
Carteret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
Cuthbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
directingadjectiveUS /dərˈektɪŋ/
showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
set up or found
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
grave-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A RAY OF HOPE.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
Knapp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
held up in the air
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
low-spiritedadjectiveUS /ˌloʊˈspɪrətɪd/
filled with melancholy and despondency
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
MackenzienounUS /məˈkenzi/
Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
engage in
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
the force of workers available
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
Menzies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
not any; not one
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
NorthwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A RAY OF HOPE.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
RAYnounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading A RAY OF HOPE.
reliedverbUS /rɪˈlaɪd/
inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
repulseverbUS /riˈpʌls/
force or drive back
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
Rudstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading "One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they must know----" "I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
unanimouslyadverbUS /juːˈnænəməsli/
of one mind; without dissent
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
voyageur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
belonging to which person
From this reading In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied upon.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner or later.
