used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
ammunitionnounUS /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/
projectiles to be fired from a gun
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
blockhousesnounUS /ˈblɑːkhaʊsəz/
plural of “blockhouse” — a stronghold that is reinforced for protection from enemy fire; with apertures for defensive fire
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
Chandonnais
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
complainedverbUS /kəmˈpleɪnd/
past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
divisible by two
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
Forsyth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
fortificationsnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fortification” — defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
Franklin'snounUS /ˈfræŋklənz/
possessive form of “franklin” — United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
HEART'SnounUS /hɑːrts/
possessive form of “heart” — the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
laxadjectiveUS /læks/
lacking in rigor or strictness
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
MackenzienounUS /məˈkenzi/
Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
scarcitynounUS /ˈskersɪti/
a small and inadequate amount
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/
a reference point to shoot at
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
tradingnounUS /ˈtreɪdɪŋ/
buying or selling securities or commodities
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
a message informing of danger
From this reading At the first sound of a warning gun, the women and children were to be taken to the Fort.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
look attentively
From this reading Mackenzie, Forsyth, and Chandonnais divided the night watch at the trading station.
WaynenounUS /weɪn/
United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
which person or people
From this reading HEART'S DESIRE Those who had complained of Captain Franklin's lax methods were silent now.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There was no target practice for fear of a scarcity of ammunition; but the women were taught to handle the pistols, muskets, and even the cannon in the blockhouses.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The fortifications were strengthened at every possible point and pickets were stationed in the woods, at points on the lake shore, along the Fort Wayne trail, and at various places on the prairie.
