used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/
past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
campsnounUS /kæmps/
plural of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
countrymennounUS /ˈkʌntrimɪn/
plural of “countryman” — a man from your own country
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
Dantan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
delayingverbUS /dɪˈleɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “delay” — cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
characterized by great determination
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
entrenchedadjectiveUS /enˈtrentʃt/
dug in
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
Haas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
highlandsnounUS /ˈhaɪləndz/
a mountainous region of northern Scotland famous for its rugged beauty; known for the style of dress (the kilt and tartan) and the clan system (now in disuse)
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
ten 10s
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
impracticabilitynoun
the quality of not being usable
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
invulnerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvʌlnərəbəl/
immune to attack; impregnable
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
loyaladjectiveUS /ˈlɔɪəl/
steadfast in allegiance or duty
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
MonasterynounUS /ˈmɑːnəsteri/
the residence of a religious community
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
not any; not one
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
many times at short intervals
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
on one occasion
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
poorlyadverbUS /ˈpuːrli/
(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
stubbornadjectiveUS /ˈstʌbərn/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
surmountverbUS /sərˈmaʊnt/
get on top of; deal with successfully
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
Tullis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
unexposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
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 force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
(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 A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
well-guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impracticability of an assault on any one of the stubborn, well-guarded gates was at once recognised.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE RETURN From the highlands below the Monastery, Captain Haas and his men were able to study the situation in the city.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading The wisdom of delaying until a few thousand loyal, though poorly armed countrymen could be brought into play against the city appealed at once to Prince Dantan and John Tullis.
WithdrawingverbUS /wɪθˈdrɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Withdrawing to an unexposed cut in the hills, safe from the shells that might be thrown up from the fortress, they established their camps, strongly entrenched and practically invulnerable against any attack from below.
withstoodverbUS /wɪθˈstʊd/
inflected form of “withstand” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading A force of seven hundred men, no matter how well trained or determined, could not be expected to surmount walls that had often withstood the attack of as many thousands.
