used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
armiesnounUS /ˈɑːrmiz/
plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
Balliol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
baronsnounUS /ˈbærənz/
plural of “baron” — a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
BrucenounUS /bruːs/
Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
commitverbUS /kəˈmɪt/
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
performance of moral or religious acts
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
devastatingadjectiveUS /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/
making light of
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
one or the other of two
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
foresawverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsɔː/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
march in a procession
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
the force of workers available
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
MidlandsnounUS /ˈmɪdlændz/
plural of “midland” — a town in west central Texas
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
in motion
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
not any; not one
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
on one occasion
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/
Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
prescientadjectiveUS /ˈpresiənt/
perceiving the significance of events before they occur
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
a person who is being chased
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
reinforcedadjectiveUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrst/
given added strength or support
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
ruthlessadjectiveUS /ˈruːθləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
cut with a saw
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
ScottishnounUS /ˈskɑːtɪʃ/
the dialect of English used in Scotland
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
seernounUS /siːr/
a person with unusual powers of foresight
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
slaughternounUS /ˈslɔːtər/
the killing of animals (as for food)
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
not in physical motion
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
suppliantnoun
one praying humbly for something
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
a special situation
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
warriornounUS /ˈwɔːriər/
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
at the time that
From this reading The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on either side.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
which person or people
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
belonging to which person
From this reading The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In time of peace men would believe themselves incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: “Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?” as one said of old when before the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless warrior.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Two armies were moving about England, and the march of each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire, and slaughter.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Prince Edward, a master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days, was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through the Midlands.
