used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
alliesnounUS /ˈælaɪz/
the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
barbariannounUS /bɑːrˈberiən/
a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
exhale hard
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
chargedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrdʒd/
of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
clambering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
cohortsnounUS /ˈkoʊhɔːrts/
plural of “cohort” — a company of companions or supporters
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
cutlasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
defeatedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfiːtəd/
beaten or overcome; not victorious
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
elephantsnounUS /ˈeləfənts/
plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
foreseenverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsiːn/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
jointsnounUS /dʒɔɪnts/
plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
immediately past
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
mahouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
Martiobarbuli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
monstersnounUS /ˈmɑːnstərz/
plural of “monster” — an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
Nizibis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
outrightadverbUS /ˈaʊˈtraɪt/
without restrictions or stipulations or further payments
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
PersiansnounUS /ˈpɜːrʒənz/
plural of “persian” — a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
done under pressure
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
slashverbUS /slæʃ/
cut with sweeping strokes; as with an ax or machete
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
spinenounUS /spaɪn/
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
sufficing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
tacticiansnounUS /tækˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “tactician” — a person who is skilled at planning tactics
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This particular danger had been foreseen by the barbarian tacticians.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
tramplingnounUS /ˈtræmplɪŋ/
the sound of heavy treading or stomping
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The previous instance of the battle under Nizibis had shown that an army may be defeated by its own allies.
underfootadverbUS /ˌʌndərˈfʊt/
under the feet
From this reading At last the elephants took flight, and rushed headlong against the Persians, trampling them underfoot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now the mahouts began to slash the monsters with curved cutlasses between the two joints of the spine lying nearest the skull; a single blow in this exact spot sufficing to kill outright the largest and strongest of the great beasts.
people who are wounded
From this reading The cohorts of Martiobarbuli charged, clambering over the wounded and pursuing those in flight.
