used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ezra and his friends appear again in a volume called “The Young Continentals at Trenton.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
anew
From this reading Ezra and his friends appear again in a volume called “The Young Continentals at Trenton.”
(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 It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
in addition
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The same boys figured in an earlier volume, “The Young Continentals at Lexington.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Ezra and his friends appear again in a volume called “The Young Continentals at Trenton.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
beleagueredverbUS /bɪˈliːɡərd/
past form of “beleaguer” — annoy persistently
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
Boyer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
bravelyadverbUS /ˈbreɪvli/
in a courageous manner
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
Breed'snounUS /briːdz/
possessive form of “breed” — a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
BunkernounUS /ˈbʌŋkər/
a hazard on a golf course
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Ezra and his friends appear again in a volume called “The Young Continentals at Trenton.”
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
colonialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
coloniesnounUS /ˈkɑːləniz/
plural of “colony” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
Continentals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The same boys figured in an earlier volume, “The Young Continentals at Lexington.”
an opposing military force
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
EzranounUS /ˈezrə/
a Jewish priest and scribe sent by the Persian king to restore Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
fightsnounUS /faɪts/
plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
figuredadjectiveUS /ˈfɪɡjərd/
(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns
From this reading The same boys figured in an earlier volume, “The Young Continentals at Lexington.”
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Ezra and his friends appear again in a volume called “The Young Continentals at Trenton.”
GagenounUS /ɡeɪdʒ/
street names for marijuana
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
hemmedverbUS /hemd/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
heroicadjectiveUS /hɪˈroʊɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ezra and his friends appear again in a volume called “The Young Continentals at Trenton.”
hoistingverbUS /ˈhɔɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
IllustratedverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪtəd/
past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
LexingtonnounUS /ˈleksɪŋtən/
town in eastern Massachusetts near Boston where the first battle of the American Revolution was fought
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
not one, and not any
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
on one occasion
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
the local environment
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
patriotnounUS /ˈpeɪtriət/
one who loves and defends his or her country
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
participate in games or sport
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
Prentiss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
PrincetonnounUS /ˈprɪnstən/
a university town in central New Jersey
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
provesverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
Putnam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
rôle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same boys figured in an earlier volume, “The Young Continentals at Lexington.”
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
be standing; be upright
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
strugglesnounUS /ˈstrʌɡəlz/
plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
successesnounUS /səkˈsesəz/
plural of “success” — an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
believed likely
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their adventures are equally stirring here, and the blows struck for liberty equally shrewd.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This time Ezra Prentiss of the four boys has the leading rôle; once suspected of being an enemy to the colonies, he now proves that none can be more faithful than he.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
TrentonnounUS /ˈtrentən/
capital of the state of New Jersey; located in western New Jersey on the Delaware river
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
soldiers collectively
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It shows how Gage and the British Army were hemmed in by the colonial troops, tells of the stirring events in and about the beleaguered city, and finally of the heroic stand upon Breed’s Hill by Putnam, Prescott and the little patriot army.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading The same boys figured in an earlier volume, “The Young Continentals at Lexington.”
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading There is something also of the fights upon islands in the bay, of the coming of Washington to assume command, and the hoisting of the first American Union flag.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
which person or people
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill” tells of four boys who were with the American Army in the siege of Boston.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading It tells something of the struggles about New York, and finally of the brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, in all of which the boys play their little parts bravely and well.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “The Young Continentals at Lexington” “The Young Continentals at Trenton” Illustrated by Ralph L. Boyer.
