used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
a quantity of money
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
AztecnounUS /ˈæztek/
a member of the Nahuatl people who established an empire in Mexico that was overthrown by Cortes in 1519
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
CortesnounUS /ˌkɔːrˈtez/
Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico (1485-1547)
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
the first light of day
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
despatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
characterized by great determination
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
an old word for “before”
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
ferretsnounUS /ˈferəts/
plural of “ferret” — musteline mammal of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
huntedadjectiveUS /ˈhʌntəd/
reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
MID-AIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading A number, however, escaped, and darted into the numerous buildings of the old palace.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
a person who is being chased
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
with speed
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
resultedverbUS /rɪˈzʌltɪd/
past form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
stabverbUS /stæb/
use a knife on
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading So determined was their assault, that, ere they could be driven back, nearly a thousand of them had leaped inside, and gained the courtyard.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
Tlascalans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although these fought with a desperation that resulted in serious injury to the garrison, most of them were quickly despatched by the Tlascalans, among whom they had appeared.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A BATTLE IN MID-AIR So fierce was the Aztec temper, that, with earliest dawn of the third day of fighting, they were swarming at the walls.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Here, though the Tlascalans pursued them like ferrets after rats, they managed to set numerous fires, kill or wound several persons, stab Cortes himself through the hand, and do an immense amount of mischief before being finally hunted down and destroyed.
