used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
(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 There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
Arnaud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
duke'snounUS /duːks/
possessive form of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
an opposing military force
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
entrenchedadjectiveUS /enˈtrentʃt/
dug in
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
forcingverbUS /ˈfɔːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
of great significance or value
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
impregnableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpreɡnəbəl/
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
a message received and understood
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
and nothing more
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
Madeleine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the force of workers available
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
outflankingverbUS /ˈaʊtflæŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “outflank” — go around the flank of (an opposing army)
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
go across or through
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
Prali
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
SavoynounUS /səˈvɔɪ/
a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern France, western Switzerland, and northwestern Italy
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was not one amongst them all but knew the enormous importance of the next few hours.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In their hurried escape at daybreak they had seen the spot chosen for the defence of the pass, and they could guess at the number of men entrenched behind the giant boulders, and the means they had taken to render the natural defences of the place impregnable.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
Vaudoisnoun
a Christian sect of dissenters that originated in southern France in the late 12th century adopted Calvinist doctrines in the 16th century
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
precisely as stated
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The Vaudois halted about three or four miles from the crest of the gorge, well on the Prali side, and out of sight of the duke’s men.
in or at the place that
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/
the general location where something is
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
which person or people
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The two women could give Arnaud very full and important information as to the whereabouts of the enemy.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Madeleine, who knew every yard of the ground, could explain just where a passage was possible, exactly where the best hope lay of forcing or outflanking the Savoy guard.
