used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
terminate
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
defensenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
characterized by great determination
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
set up or found
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
Gabe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
Gurley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
lodgmentnoun
bringing a charge or accusation against someone
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
redskinsnounUS /ˈredskɪnz/
plural of “redskin” — (slang) offensive term for Native Americans
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
reloadverbUS /riˈloʊd/
load anew
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
cut with a saw
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
shrieksnounUS /ʃriːks/
plural of “shriek” — sharp piercing cry
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
stockade-wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
carry out
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Gabe Gurley About two hours after Dick Dare left the fort, the Indians made the attack.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
communicated in words
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading The settlers made a strong and determined defense, firing as fast as they could reload their rifles, and the calls of the redskins were varied by yells and shrieks of pain, proving that some of the bullets found lodgment in the bodies of the redskins.
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 The Indians had not been able to break the wall down, or to scale it, so they had set fire to it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then, suddenly a cry went up from the settlers, for they saw that the stockade-wall was on fire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
yellsnounUS /jelz/
plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading They tried to take the settlers by surprise, by slipping up to the fort, but were discovered and fired upon, and then they uttered wild yells and made a desperate attack.
