used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Athens had a great navy and much wealth.
alliesnounUS /ˈælaɪz/
the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
AthensnounUS /ˈæθənz/
the capital and largest city of Greece; named after Athena (its patron goddess)
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
discontentedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪd/
showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
empirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Athens had a great navy and much wealth.
GreecenounUS /ɡriːs/
a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Athens had a great navy and much wealth.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
jealousynounUS /ˈdʒeləsi/
a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Athens had a great navy and much wealth.
navynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading Athens had a great navy and much wealth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
and nothing more
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
PeloponnesianadjectiveUS /ˌpeləpəˈniːʒən/
of or relating to Peloponnesus
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
PLATAEANS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
SpartanounUS /ˈspɑːrtɑː/
an ancient Greek city famous for military prowess; the dominant city of the Peloponnesus prior to the 4th century BC
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
THEBANS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
tributenounUS /ˈtrɪbjuːt/
something given or done as an expression of esteem
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
unlikelyadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪkli/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
being of use or service
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS The cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy--jealousy between Athens and Sparta.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Athens had a great navy and much wealth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was at the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented and unlikely to prove useful allies.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Each wished to be the chief State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in those days was by an appeal to arms.
