used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
the state of being absent
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
(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 If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
completely unclothed
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
BurgoynenounUS /bərˈɡɔɪn/
British general in the American Revolution who captured Fort Ticonderoga but lost the battle of Saratoga in 1777 (1722-1792)
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
not accessible to view
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
the first light of day
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
dilemmanounUS /dɪˈlemə/
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
divisible by two
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
explainingverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
FaredverbUS /ferd/
past form of “fare” — proceed or get along
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
Minalto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
regainverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪn/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
silhouettesnounUS /ˌsɪləˈwets/
plural of “silhouette” — an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow)
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
carry out
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They chose the latter course, and upon returning to the scene of the lowering operations they flung themselves flat upon the turf, lest their silhouettes would betray them to the pirates stationed about the camp and concealed in the bushes on the summit of Observation Hill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If they returned to the cliff there was the possibility that they would have to hide all next day, and be faced with the awkward problem of explaining their absence satisfactorily.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading How Minalto Fared Burgoyne and his companions were on the horns of a dilemma.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Minalto would have to be left to take his chance, and the gaunt evidence of the night's work would be laid bare with the dawn.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If they persisted in their attempt to regain their quarters they would almost certainly be detected, while even if they succeeded they would be unable to return to the cliff.
