used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
(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 But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE WORD OF AN ONONDAGA.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
Cayuganoun
a member of an Iroquoian people formerly living around Cayuga Lake in New York State
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
Claude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
D'Orvilliers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
eloquentadjectiveUS /ˈeləkwənt/
expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the maid had suggestions.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
destroyed or killed
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
lakesnounUS /leɪks/
plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
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 For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
a female domestic
From this reading Even the maid had suggestions.
the force of workers available
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WORD OF AN ONONDAGA.
and nothing more
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
ONONDAGAnounUS /ˌɑːnənˈdɔːɡə/
a member of the Iroquoian people formerly living between Lake Champlain and the Saint Lawrence River
From this reading THE WORD OF AN ONONDAGA.
Onondagas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading Even the maid had suggestions.
supposingverbUS /səˈpoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WORD OF AN ONONDAGA.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a long time after Father Claude had finished speaking, the three sat talking over the situation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
at the time that
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading But when all had been said, when the chances of a rescue by the French, or of getting a hearing before the council, even of a wild dash for liberty, had been gone over and over, their voices died away, and the silence was eloquent.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading THE WORD OF AN ONONDAGA.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading D'Orvilliers would know that only capture could have prevented them from reaching the fort; but even supposing him to believe that they were held by the Onondagas, he had neither the men nor the authority to fight through the Cayuga lakes and hills to reach them.
