used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The leading men were not assailed, although they were now and then cutting the trail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
assailedverbUS /əˈseɪld/
past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
bittenverbUS /ˈbɪtən/
inflected form of “bite” — to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
creepers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading The leading men were not assailed, although they were now and then cutting the trail.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
divisible by two
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
fire-ants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
the act of departing
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
hornetsnounUS /ˈhɔːrnəts/
plural of “hornet” — large stinging paper wasp
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The leading men were not assailed, although they were now and then cutting the trail.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
maribundi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
the force of workers available
From this reading The leading men were not assailed, although they were now and then cutting the trail.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
on one occasion
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
Rondon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The leading men were not assailed, although they were now and then cutting the trail.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
ticksnounUS /tɪks/
plural of “tick” — a metallic tapping sound
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The leading men were not assailed, although they were now and then cutting the trail.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
venomousadjectiveUS /ˈvenəməs/
extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Colonel Rondon and I were in the middle of the column, and the swarm attacked us; both of us were badly stung on the face, neck, and hands, the colonel even more severely than I was.
waspsnounUS /wɑːsps/
plural of “wasp” — a white person of Anglo-Saxon ancestry who belongs to a Protestant denomination
From this reading Once we were assailed by more serious foes, in the shape of a nest of maribundi wasps, not the biggest kind, but about the size of our hornets.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now and then we were bitten and stung by the venomous fire-ants, and ticks crawled upon us.
in or at the place that
From this reading We were at the time passing through dense jungle, under tall trees, in a spot where the down timber, holes, tangled creepers, and thorns made the going difficult.
