used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
archersnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃərz/
plural of “archer” — a person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
assaultsnounUS /əˈsɔːlts/
plural of “assault” — close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
causesnounUS /ˈkɑːzəz/
plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
defencelessnessnoun
the property of being helpless in the face of attack
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
embattledadjectiveUS /emˈbætəld/
(of a person) beset by difficulties or conflict
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
foamingadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊmɪŋ/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
mannedadjectiveUS /mænd/
having a crew
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
MexiconounUS /ˈmeksəkoʊ/
a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
not any; not one
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
parapets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
repelverbUS /rɪˈpel/
cause to move back by force or influence
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
slingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
surgesnounUS /ˈsɜːrdʒəz/
plural of “surge” — a sudden forceful flow
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
confined on all sides
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
Tenochtitlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The external fortifications of Tezcuco were, as became the ancient rival of Tenochtitlan, of a more imposing order.
Tezcuco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
(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 These were, ordinarily, of no great height or strength, but sufficient, when well manned, to repel the assaults of the slingers and archers of America.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The walls of Mexico were the foaming surges of her lake.
at the time that
From this reading The cities on the shore, when much exposed by defencelessness of site, great wealth of inhabitants, or other causes, to the attacks of enemies, were surrounded by walls, commonly of earth, though sometimes, as in the case of Tezcuco, of stone.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The walls were thick and high, with embattled parapets, and deep ditches at the base.
