used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
Arsames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
captivesnounUS /ˈkæptɪvz/
plural of “captive” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
Cilicia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
Cilician
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
rid of obstructions
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
cragsnounUS /kræɡz/
plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
falconnounUS /ˈfælkən/
diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
filingnounUS /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/
the entering of a legal document into the public record
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
brought together in one place
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
infantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
LEONIDASnounUS /liˈɔːnɪdəz/
king of Sparta and hero of the battle of Thermopylae where he was killed by the Persians (died in 480 BC)
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
MacedoniannounUS /ˌmæsəˈdoʊnjən/
a native or inhabitant of Macedon
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
most important element
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
go across or through
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
PhrygiannounUS /ˈfrɪdʒiən/
a native or inhabitant of Phrygia
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
plateaunounUS /plæˈtoʊ/
a relatively flat highland
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/
Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
satrapnoun
a governor of a province in ancient Persia
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
satrapy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
spoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
not in physical motion
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
swoopedverbUS /swuːpt/
past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
SyrianounUS /ˈsɪriə/
an Asian republic in the Middle East at the east end of the Mediterranean; site of some of the world's most ancient centers of civilization
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
TarsusnounUS /ˈtɑːrsəs/
the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg; in human beings the bones of the ankle and heel collectively
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
TaurusnounUS /ˈtɔːrəs/
Venezuelan master terrorist raised by a Marxist-Leninist father; trained and worked with many terrorist groups (born in 1949)
From this reading On a clear October night the army halted at the foot of the rugged and forbidding crags of the Taurus.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From one of the captives taken at the pass, Alexander learned that the satrap Arsames had planned to plunder the city of Tarsus and retreat into Syria with his spoil.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
soldiers collectively
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
UNDERTAKESverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪks/
third-person singular of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the main body of the troops was still filing through the pass, he gathered a chosen body of cavalry and light infantry and swooped like a falcon upon the town.
in the company of; together with
From this reading LEONIDAS UNDERTAKES A MISSION Down from the Phrygian plateau, through a land that glowed with the touch of autumn, marched the Macedonian host, with Alexander at its head.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Leonidas with his cavalry troop followed the young king in the attack upon the Cilician Gates, which scattered the guard stationed there and opened the way into the satrapy of Cilicia.
