Chapter III · Chapter 3

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

go together

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

later than; following

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

confined by bonds

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

a person who is in charge

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

recognizable; marked

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

temporary military shelter

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

kill a large number of people indiscriminately

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

the force of workers available

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

to, toward, or in the northwest

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

plural of “opponent” — a contestant that you are matched against

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

in a respectful manner

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

carry out

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

a state of commotion and noise and confusion

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

(used of persons or the military) not having or using arms

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

past form of “volunteer” — tell voluntarily

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the boys to be bound.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading From the door of the hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

during the time that

From this reading This was done and they were put into an empty hut while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be spared.

which person or people

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

belonging to which person

From this reading It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief, who was one of the strongest opponents of the English.

plural of “zulu” — a member of the tall Negroid people of eastern South Africa; some live in KwaZulu-Natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities

From this reading The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that they had escaped from the massacre of the British.