used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/
with boldness, in a bold manner
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
camp-fires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
traveling across
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
an opposing military force
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
set up or found
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
FreeholdnounUS /ˈfriːhoʊld/
an estate held in fee simple or for life
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
immediately past
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
the force of workers available
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
nightfallnounUS /ˈnaɪtfɔːl/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
on one occasion
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
outpostsnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊsts/
plural of “outpost” — a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
go across or through
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
patriotsnounUS /ˈpeɪtriəts/
plural of “patriot” — one who loves and defends his or her country
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
select carefully from a group
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
not in physical motion
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
express in words
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was a small town of scattered houses, and beyond it I could see the lights of the British camp-fires.
soldiers collectively
From this reading But not a sign of their pickets or troops could I find; so I boldly advanced in the pass, and, crossing the ridge, found myself on the heights overlooking Freehold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
look attentively
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
at the time that
From this reading IN THE LINES OF THE ENEMY It was near the end of the first watch when an order came to me to pick out several men, go forward, feel the enemy's outposts, and see if the enemy was still retreating.
in or at the place that
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
which person or people
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Making my choice, I passed our pickets with three men, and made my way cautiously to the last pass in the hills which was in the enemy's possession at nightfall.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But as the heights were not near enough for our purpose, we descended into the plain, and carefully made our way toward the town, where I knew certain patriots were, who, if I could once get speech with them, would tell me the whole plans of the enemy.
