Chapter XXIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

lighted up by or as by fire or flame

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

terminate

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

English novelist and Catholic (1904-1991)

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

and nothing more

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

engage in

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

not any; not one

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

plural of “patriot” — one who loves and defends his or her country

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

by chance

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

repeated heavy blows

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

plural of “redcoat” — British soldier; so-called because of his red coat (especially during the American Revolution)

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

an ordered reference standard

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

precisely as stated

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

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 Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

at the time that

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading Nor did General Greene deem it wise to try to storm the fort, for the structure was too strong to break through, and the wall was too high to scale.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They kept pounding the stockade-wall with six-pound cannon balls, but they did not seem to make much impression.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading The patriots, realizing that it would be useless to try to set the fort afire when the wood was wet, returned to their encampment, and made themselves as comfortable as they could for the night.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Next morning work was resumed, but no very rapid progress was made.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The Siege Doubtless the patriots would have been able to keep the redcoats from putting out the fire, and it would have burned the stockade-wall and perhaps the fort, but a thunder-storm came up just as the affair was at its height, and a heavy rain beating down on the fire, put it out.